Fig 2. The radiological data of the patients with lumbar disc herniation in the PLIF group.

A 44-year-old male patient underwent PLIF due to lumbar disc herniation in L4/5. A: The preoperative lumbar MRI. B-C: The preoperative flexion and extension X-rays, the ROM of L4/5 was 12°; D: The lumbar MRI at 50 months after the operation; E-F: The flexion and extension X-rays 50 months after the operation, the ROM of L4/5 was 0°.ROM: range of motion; PLIF: posterior lumbar interbody fusion.