Sahuaro,
If memory serves, I found this article almost 3 1/2 years ago, it pertained to lumbar fusion and the reason for the contraindication was multi-level fusion actually promoted DDD.
I searched my bookmarks in an old computer (shocked I still have it), I googled it and looked for the article which I printed out but so far, nothing. I will soon be putting my 2008 records into storage and will see if I can find the article in a storage box but keep in mind, if this was written 2004/5, it may no longer be relevent. However, I suspect it is.
While looking through my bookmarks, I'm pretty sure I found the article in
Back Pain: Trusted Information for Pain Relief | Spine-Health. Sorry I can't remember more.
Dale