Improved clinical and radiographic outcomes with expandable cages in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a propensity-matched cohort analysis

The restoration of sufficient overall lumbar lordosis (LL) and segmental LL (SL) is associated with achieving optimal sagittal balance, decreasing back pain, and enhancing functional outcomes for patients. Expandable cages were developed in hopes of improving radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes, although current clinical evidence is inconclusive. Here, the authors aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing one- or two-level open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with expandable versus static cage placement, using propensity-matched cohorts.