经椎板间内镜椎管减压术治疗老年腰椎侧隐窝狭窄症

目的:探讨经皮椎板间入路内镜下椎管减压术治疗老年腰椎侧隐窝狭窄症的效果。方法:老年腰椎侧隐窝狭窄症患者196例,随机分为观察组和对照组各98例,观察组行经皮椎板间入路内镜下椎管减压术治疗,对照组行经皮椎间孔入路内镜下椎管减压术治疗。分别于术前和术后7 d、1个月、3个月采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)法评估下肢疼痛程度,Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)评定腰椎功能,采用侧隐窝角评估侧隐窝狭窄程度,依据MacNab标准评定手术效果,并记录手术并发症。结果:2组术后7 d、1个月、3个月VAS评分、ODI评分均低于术前(P0.05),且观察组均低于对照组(P0.05);观察组、对照组术后7 d软性侧隐窝角[(30.53±9.76)°、(27.27±8.39)°]、骨性侧隐窝角[(33.18±10.36)°、31.52±9.85)°]均大于术前[软性侧隐窝角(14.26±7.92)°、(14.51±6.83)°,骨性侧隐窝角(16.63±6.58)°、(17.02±7.73)°](P0.05),且观察组大于对照组(P0.05);术后3个月,观察组优良率(94%)与对照组(89%)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);2组均未出现神经根撕裂、永久性神经损伤等严重并发症。结论:相较于经皮椎间孔入路,经皮椎板间入路镜下椎管减压术对减轻老年腰椎侧隐窝狭窄症患者下肢疼痛、改善侧隐窝狭窄及腰椎功能,效果更明显。     

Lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis

Lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis are common spinal conditions resulting in pain and functional disability. The prevalence of these conditions will increase as the population ages. Multiple nonsurgical treatment options have been reported including physical therapy, medications, and injections but with only limited data and marginal effect. Large, multicenter studies have compared surgical to nonsurgical treatment and have consistently demonstrated greater success in the surgical treatment of both lumbar spinal stenosis and of degenerative spondylolisthesis. This positive treatment effect has been seen at both short-term and long-term follow-up with good durability over time. This suggests that surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis significantly improves the patient's pain and functional status.     

Functional outcome study of patients after surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: effects of concomitant pathology

The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with poor outcome in the medium (2-5 years) postoperative period following lumbar stenosis surgery. Fifty-six consecutive patients who underwent decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed using chart and radiologic review, questionnaire using American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeon's MODEM questionnaire containing disability, symptoms, and illness rating, as well as Short Form-36 questionnaires. Postoperatively, there was 98% partial or total relief in leg pain, 85% had partial or total relief in back pain, and 69% had partial or total recovery of neurologic deficit. Functional outcome according to the Short Form-36 was comparable with the age-adjusted population when other comorbidities were taken into account. We found a direct relationship between poor outcome and coexisting medical conditions (p <0.001). Accompanying comorbid conditions have a significant impact on outcome after surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis.     

Minimally invasive operative management for lumbar spinal stenosis: overview of early and long-term outcomes

Standard open posterior decompression is well established and familiar to virtually all spine surgeons. However, this traditional surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is often associated with significant postoperative pain, disability, and dysfunction. This article reviews the use of a minimally invasive microendoscopic approach for bilateral decompression of lumbar stenosis by way of a unilateral approach. This technique has been shown to provide symptomatic relief equivalent to that of open discectomy, with significant reductions in operative blood loss, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and narcotic usage. Furthermore, the article explains the rationale, indications, and surgical techniques for minimally-invasive LSS surgery and presents the authors' 4-year outcomes data.     

老年退行性腰椎椎管狭窄症手术治疗与随访

目的观察老年退行性腰椎椎管狭窄症行椎管减压、椎弓根螺钉内固定并后外侧植骨的治疗效果。方法 2002年1月～2006年1月获得随访的腰椎椎管狭窄症（不包括各种腰椎滑脱）患者241例,行椎管减压、椎弓根螺钉内固定并横突间植骨。观察术后并发症和死亡情况,应用Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index,ODI）和疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）分别对术前、术后1年及随访时的临床效果进行评分。比较患者术后即刻、6个月及1年及腰椎X线片,通过相邻横突间骨小梁的形成情况进行融合效果判断,并比较融合和未融合病例的手术效果。结果术后2例发生脑梗塞,其中1例发生脑干梗塞死亡的严重并发症。2例心绞痛发作,2例心肌梗死,1例心衰,5例心血管并发症者经纠正后均康复。8例发生脑脊液漏经处理后7例很快闭合,1例发生感染经抗感染处理后康复。3例发现椎弓根螺钉置入位置有误,其中1例出现拇指伸指肌力减退的并发症,其余未出现并发症。双节段手术时间平均为2.8 h,手术出血量平均480.4 mL。手术后无明显并发症的患者均能在术后1周佩戴护腰下床活动,平均3个月能恢复日常活动能力。患者术后1年及末次随访时的ODI、腰痛VAS评分及腿痛VAS评分与术前相比明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。随访1年植骨融合率为42.1%,无明显椎弓根螺钉的松动和拔除。植骨融合者与未融合者ODI差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论老年退行性腰椎椎管狭窄症患者非手术治疗无效,经过术前身体状况严格评估无手术禁忌证可以考虑手术治疗。广泛椎管减压、椎弓根螺钉内固定并后外侧植骨可以取得非常满意的临床效果。植骨融合率与术后效果无明显关系。     

Computed tomography findings 4 years after surgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis. No correlation with clinical outcome

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, cross-sectional study of the correlation between postoperative computed tomography findings and patients' clinical outcomes approximately 4 years after laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical and radiologic characteristics and their relation to each other. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The goal of surgical management for lumbar spinal stenosis is to decompress the stenotic area determined in radiologic examinations to relieve pressure on the neurovascular structures. However, the success of this decompression very rarely has been confirmed by postoperative radiologic imaging or compared with clinical outcome. METHODS: Postoperative computed tomography was performed on 191 patients. The findings were classified as "no stenosis," "central stenosis," "lateral stenosis," or "central-lateral stenosis." Postoperative instability of the lumbar spine was investigated by functional radiography. Clinical status was assessed by clinical examination. Subjective disability was assessing using the Oswestry questionnaire, and severity of pain using the visual analog scale. Walking capacity was evaluated by the tread-mill test. RESULTS: Radiologic studies revealed postoperative stenosis in 123 patients (64%). Small differences between the computed tomography groups were shown for the Oswestry score, but not for walking distance. Clinical signs, severity of pain, and radiologic instability were very similar for all computed tomography groups. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative radiologic stenosis was very common in patients operated on for lumbar spinal stenosis, but this did not correlate with clinical outcome. The clinician must be cautious when reconciling clinical symptoms and signs with postoperative computed tomography findings in patients operated on for lumbar spinal stenosis.     

单侧双通道内镜下经对侧入路治疗腰椎间孔狭窄症的临床疗效

目的：评估单侧双通道内镜技术经对侧入路治疗腰椎椎间孔狭窄症的可行性及影像学结果 。方法 ：回顾性分析2021年1月至2022年7月收治的33例接受单侧双通道内镜技术治疗腰椎间孔狭窄症患者的临床资料,男17例,女16例;年龄34～72(56.00±7.89)岁;记录手术时间、围手术期并发症;采用疼痛视觉模拟评分法（visual analogue scale,VAS）评估患者腰痛和下肢疼痛程度,Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index,ODI）评估腰椎功能状况;末次随访时采用改良Macnab评分标准评价临床疗效。结果：所有患者顺利完成手术,手术时间47～65(56.10±5.19) min;术后随访12～18 (14.9±2.3)个月。术前腰腿痛VAS [(7.273±1.442)分,（7.697±1.447）分],ODI (69.182±9.740)%;术后腰腿痛VAS[(3.394±0.966分,（2.818±0.727）分],ODI (17.30±4.78)%;末次随访腰腿痛VAS[(2.788±0.650)分,（2.394±0.704）分],...     

291例腰椎管狭窄症患者的临床特点分析

目的：总结腰椎管狭窄症的临床特点，探讨狭窄节段范围与临床表现的关系。方法：回顾性分析291例经手术证实的腰椎管狭窄症患者的临床资料，其中男125例，女166例，年龄28-89岁，平均60．2岁。对其发病规律，临床表现特点进行归纳分析。根据狭窄范围，分为2组，单节段狭窄组149例；多节段狭窄组142例。对两组患者的主要症状体征进行对比分析。结果：腰椎管狭窄症好发于中老年，慢性起病：首发症状以腰痛最常见，间歇性跛行（86．6％）、腰痛（82．8％）、下肢麻木（60．1％）为常见症状；临床体征以腰背部压痛（58．8％）、下肢皮肤针刺觉异常（58．0％）、腰椎活动受限（43.3％）和下肢肌力减弱（42.3％）多见。大小便功能异常发生率单节段狭窄组为0．67％，多节段狭窄组为5．63％，两组之间差异有显著性（P〈0．05）；下肢肌力减弱发生率前者为32．9％．后者为52．1％，两组之间有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；而两组患者的间歇性跛行、下肢放射痛、下肢麻木、下肢皮肤针刺觉异常等发生率无明显差异。结论：腰椎管狭窄症患者好发于中老年人，以慢性起病为主，临床主要表现为累及下肢的变化多样的神经症状和体征，多节段狭窄患者更容易引起下肢肌力减弱和马尾神经损害。     

脊柱内镜减压治疗高龄腰椎退变性脊柱侧凸合并神经根管狭窄

目的探讨局麻下脊柱内镜减压治疗高龄腰椎退变性脊柱侧凸合并神经根管狭窄的疗效。方法局部麻醉下经椎间孔入路,从背侧和腹侧减压受压神经根。术后症状改善采用下肢痛视觉疼痛模拟评分(Visual Analogue Scale,VAS)和Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry Disability Index,ODI)评估,手术疗效采用改良MacNab标准评估。结果术中1例硬膜撕裂,术后出现随体位变化的疼痛不适感,3周后症状改善。12例侧凸腰椎冠状面Cobb角39.3°±6.8°。12例随访(19.4±3.4)月。下肢痛VAS评分从术前(6.5±1.2)分,改善为末次随访(1.2±0.9)分(P=0.000)。ODI从术前(67.5±6.1)%,改善为末次随访(29.0±6.6)%(P=0.000)。末次随访改良MacNab标准优良率为83.3%(10/12)。结论高龄退变性腰椎侧凸合并神经根管狭窄的处理需要考虑患者自身条件,局麻脊柱内镜下减压能够有效缓解神经压迫症状,改善生活质量,是一种可供选择且安全有效的方法。     

Dynesys系统治疗腰椎疾病的长期临床疗效观察

目的评估Dynesys系统治疗腰椎退变性疾病的长期临床安全性和有效性。方法回顾自2006年1月至2010年6月于本院实施Dynesys系统植入术患者共43例,男18例,女25例,年龄35～70岁,平均52．2岁,其中单纯退行性腰椎管狭窄者21例,腰椎管狭窄并椎间盘突出者15例,腰椎管狭窄伴退行性腰椎滑脱（I度滑脱）者5例,复发性腰椎间盘突出者2例,均经非手术治疗无效,于我院植入Dynesys系统。以疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analoguescale,VAS）、Oswestry功能障碍指数评分（oswestry disability index,ODI）、椎间隙高度、椎间活动度（rangeofmotion,ROM）进行疗效评估;采用NASS指数评估患者满意度;观察患者行走距离、术后固定及邻近节段退变、并发症发生情况等。结果本组病例全部获得随访,时间27～54个月,平均39．5个月。术后3个月患者的腰痛VAS评分、腿痛VAS评分、ODI评分分别由术前的7．67分、6．77分、60．58分下降到2．93分、2．32分、26．02分（P〈0．01）;椎间隙高度由术前的9．73mm升高到12．50mm（P〈0．01）;步行距离由术前的10～1000m升高到均大于1000m;ROM值由术前的7．80。下降到5．26。（P〈0．01）。术后随访期间各时间点之间腰痛VAS评分、腿痛VAS评分、ODI评分、椎间隙高度、ROM值均无显著性差异（P〉0．05）,而与术前相比差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。UCLA系统评价显示术后及随访期间固定节段及相邻节段未出现进一步退变。术中、术后及随访期间均未出现严重并发症。结论Dynesys系统对腰椎退变性患者具有良好的长期临床疗效,安全性高,值得进一步推广。     

后路腰椎间融合治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的疗效分析

[目的]分析腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的原因,探讨后路腰椎间融合术对腰椎管狭窄症腰痛的治疗效果.[方法]比较腰痛明显的腰椎管狭窄症患者和典型间歇性跛行症状的腰椎管狭窄症患者的年龄、术前腰椎失稳、生理前凸消失和退变性侧弯的发生率;分析后路腰椎间融合 (posterior lumbar interbody fusion, PLIF) 治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者下腰痛的随访结果.[结果]腰痛明显组的腰椎管狭窄症患者的平均年龄、腰椎节段性失稳率、腰椎前凸消失和退变性侧弯的比率高于间歇性跛行组的腰椎管狭窄症患者.PLIF术后腰痛症状明显减轻,JOA评分改善,退变性侧弯程度减轻,腰椎前凸恢复,椎间均达到骨性融合.[结论]PLIF可消除腰椎管狭窄症的多种腰痛病因,是治疗腰椎管狭窄症下腰痛的较好术式选择.     

Surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. Attempted meta-analysis of the literature.

A meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the effects of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis on pain and disability. Seventy-four journal articles met inclusion criteria and were independently reviewed by two readers. On average, 64% of patients treated surgically for lumbar spinal stenosis were reported to have good-to-excellent outcomes. However, there was wide variation across studies in the percentage with good outcomes. Few patient characteristics were found to predict outcome. Major deficits in study design, analysis, and reporting were common, and these precluded firm conclusions.     

Dynesys动态稳定系统治疗腰椎多节段退变性疾病

目的 探讨Dynesys 动态稳定系统在腰椎多节段退变性疾病治疗中的临床疗效.方法回顾性分析2009 年7月～2012年7月采用Dynesys动态固定系统治疗的多节段腰椎退变性疾病患者30例.其中男10例,女20例;年龄为30～64岁,平均49.2岁.患者中腰椎退变性侧凸L2/L3/L4/L5/S1 1例;腰椎椎管狭窄症16例,L1/L2/L3/L4/L5 1例,L2/L3/L4/L5/S1 1例,L3/L4/L5 3例,L4/L5/S111例; 椎间盘突出症13例,L4/L5 椎间盘突出合并L5/S1退变5例,L5 /S1椎间盘突出合并L4/L5退变4例,L4/L5/S1 双节段突出者4例.临床症状包括下腰痛、下肢放射痛以及间歇性跛行.所有患者均有腰痛和/或腿痛的症状,经非手术治疗＞3个月无效.术前腰椎疼痛视觉模拟量表（ visual analogue scale,VAS） 评分为6.30分（3～9分）,腿痛VAS评分6.40分（ 0～9分）,Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index,ODI）为62.67%.测量术后末次随访时患者腰痛、腿痛的VAS评分及ODI.结果 患者随访12～48个月,平均25个月.患者腰痛VAS评分在末次随访时较术前有明显的降低（1.77分）,腿痛VAS评分也较术前有明显的降低（1.36分）,ODI较术前也有明显的降低（12.50%）.与术前相比,差异均有统计学意义（ P＜0.05）.结论 Dynesys 动态固定系统手术操作简单、易掌握,可避免融合术相关并发症,效果满意.其长期临床疗效还需长时间临床观察.     

Spinous process splitting laminectomy for lumbar canal stenosis: a critical appraisal

Spinous process splitting laminectomy (SPSL) is a surgical technique for lumbar canal stenosis, which aims to preserve the paraspinal muscles. Twenty-five patients with lumbar canal stenosis who consecutively underwent SPSL from June 2005 to December 2005 were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Mean age of the patients at surgery was 62.6 years (range: 42-77 years). Seventeen patients underwent SPSL for single level stenosis, 4 for two levels, and 4 for three levels. In 10 patients, discectomy was simultaneously performed at the same level as SPSL. Of 23 patients (92%) followed for a 1-year period, VAS for back pain, leg pain, and ODI decreased significantly; from 4.8, 8.1, and 54.3-2.1, 2.7, and 23.1, respectively. However, a significant improvement (> 50% of their initial VAS/ODI score) of back pain, leg pain, and functional status was observed in only 65.2, 65.2, and 52.2%, respectively. Complications occurred in 4 patients (16%). Although SPSL for lumbar canal stenosis yielded relatively good clinical outcomes, the percentage of patients showing significant improvements in back pain, leg pain, and functional status were less than expected at one year after surgery.     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: correlation with Oswestry Disability Index and MR Imaging

Because neither the degree of constriction of the spinal canal considered to be symptomatic for lumbar spinal stenosis nor the relationship between the clinical appearance and the degree of a radiologically verified constriction is clear, a correlation of patient’s disability level and radiographic constriction of the lumbar spinal canal is of interest. The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between the degree of radiologically established anatomical stenosis and the severity of self-assessed Oswestry Disability Index in patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Sixty-three consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who were scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and completed a self-assessment Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. Quantitative image evaluation for lumbar spinal stenosis included the dural sac cross-sectional area, and qualitative evaluation of the lateral recess and foraminal stenosis were also performed. Every patient subsequently answered the national translation of the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire and the percentage disability was calculated. Statistical analysis of the data was performed to seek a relationship between radiological stenosis and percentage disability recorded by the Oswestry Disability Index. Upon radiological assessment, 27 of the 63 patients evaluated had severe and 33 patients had moderate central dural sac stenosis; 11 had grade 3 and 27 had grade 2 nerve root compromise in the lateral recess; 22 had grade 3 and 37 had grade 2 foraminal stenosis. On the basis of the percentage disability score, of the 63 patients, 10 patients demonstrated mild disability, 13 patients moderate disability, 25 patients severe disability, 12 patients were crippled and three patients were bedridden. Radiologically, eight patients with severe central stenosis and nine patients with moderate lateral stenosis demonstrated only minimal disability on percentage Oswestry Disability Index scores. Statistical evaluation of central and lateral radiological stenosis versus Oswestry Disability Index percentage scores showed no significant correlation. In conclusion, lumbar spinal stenosis remains a clinico-radiological syndrome, and both the clinical picture and the magnetic resonance imaging findings are important when evaluating and discussing surgery with patients having this diagnosis. MR imaging has to be used to determine the levels to be decompressed.     

Therapeutic exercise in the treatment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition that may cause significant pain and associated disability, especially in older patients. It is being recognized with increasing frequency as the population continues to age, and is the most common diagnosis associated with lumbar spine surgery in patients older than 65 years of age. The natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis is not necessarily one of progressive deterioration. Conservative treatment is advocated in patients with mild to moderate symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, and may include therapeutic exercise. The therapeutic exercise program must be prescribed with a thorough understanding of the contributing pathoanatomic and pathophysiologic factors, and should be tailored to each patient based on his or her history and physical examination. Components of the program are described in detail and include specific stretching and strengthening exercises, general conditioning exercises, and education in proper posture and body mechanics. Randomized controlled studies are needed to help clarify the indications for conservative versus surgical treatment, to determine which components of the therapeutic exercise program are the most beneficial, and to compare outcomes after conservative or surgical measures.     

Preoperative Zung Depression Scale predicts outcome after revision lumbar surgery for adjacent segment disease, recurrent stenosis, and pseudarthrosis

Background contextPersistent back pain and leg pain after index surgery is distressing to patients and spinal surgeons. Revision surgical treatment is technically challenging and has been reported to yield unpredictable outcomes. Recently, affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been considered potential predictors of surgical outcomes across many disease states of chronic pain. There remains a paucity of studies assessing the predictive value of baseline depression on outcomes in the setting of revision spine surgery.PurposeTo assess the predictive value of preoperative depression on 2-year postoperative outcome after revision lumbar surgery for symptomatic pseudarthrosis, adjacent segment disease (ASD), and same-level recurrent stenosis.Study designRetrospective cohort study.Patient sampleOne hundred fifty patients undergoing revision surgery for symptomatic ASD, pseudarthrosis, and same-level recurrent stenosis.Outcome measuresPatient-reported outcome measures were assessed using an outcomes questionnaire that included questions on health-state values (EQ-5D), disability (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), pain (visual analog scale), depression (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey physical and mental component scores.MethodsOne hundred fifty patients undergoing revision neural decompression and instrumented fusion for ASD (n=50), pseudarthrosis (n=47), or same-level recurrent stenosis (n=53) were included in this study. Preoperative Zung Self-Reported Depression Scale score was assessed for all patients. Preoperative and 2-year postoperative visual analog scale for back pain and leg pain scores and ODI were assessed. The association between preoperative Zung Depression Scale score and 2-year improvement in disability was assessed via multivariate regression analysis.ResultsCompared to preoperative status, VAS-BP was significantly improved 2 years after surgery for ASD (8.72±1.85 vs. 3.92±2.84, p=.001), pseudoarthrosis (7.31±0.81 vs. 5.06±2.64, p=.001), and same-level recurrent stenosis (9.28±1.00 vs. 5.00±2.94, p=.001). Two-year ODI was also significantly improved after surgery for ASD (28.72±9.64 vs. 18.48±11.31, p=.001), pseudoarthrosis (29.74±5.35 vs. 25.42±6.00, p=.001), and same-level recurrent stenosis (36.01±6.00 vs. 21.75±12.07, p=.001). Independent of age, BMI, symptom duration, smoking, comorbidities, and level of preoperative pain and disability, increasing preoperative Zung depression score was significantly associated with less 2-year improvement in disability (ODI) after revision surgery for ASD, pseudoarthrosis, and recurrent stenosis.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the extent of preoperative depression is an independent predictor of functional outcome after revision lumbar surgery for ASD, pseudoarthrosis, and recurrent stenosis. Future comparative effectiveness studies assessing outcomes after revision lumbar surgery should account for depression as a potential confounder. The Zung depression questionnaire may help risk stratify patients presenting for revision lumbar surgery.     

Total hip arthroplasty outcomes correlate with spine disability

Functional deficits persist in a significant percentage of total hip arthroplasties (THA), leading to patient dissatisfaction. Spinal stenosis is a leading cause of chronic disability and lower extremity weakness. Although previous studies have evaluated the potential benefit of THA on back pain, none have reported the effects of spine disability on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction with THA. A total of 244 primary THAs (233 patients) with minimum 2-year follow-up rated their satisfaction, return to activity, and standard hip outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). History of lumbar spine pain, lumbar surgery, and daily activity limitations was documented and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was calculated. Out of 244, 151 (62%) patients reported a history of back problems: 35 patients (14%)—history of lumbar surgery, 91 (37%)—daily low back pain, and 97 (40%)—back pain that limited activity. Patients with a history of back problems had lower OHS scores than those without back pain, p = 0.0001. Patients with daily low back pain or low back pain that limited activity had lower OHS scores, p < 0.0001. Increasing spine disability, as determined by ODI, correlated with poor OHS, p < 0.0001. Spine disability (ODI) was directly associated with patient dissatisfaction for pain relief (R = 0.41, p < 0.0001), return to activity (R = 0.34, p < 0.0001), and overall surgical results (ODI, R = 0.38, p < 0.0001) at 2 years after THA. ODI correlated strongly with poor THA outcomes. In conclusion, lumbar spine disability correlated directly with poor Oxford Hip Scores. Spine disability was directly associated with THA patient dissatisfaction with pain relief, return to activity, and overall outcome of surgery. This study demonstrates that poor functional results in THA patients correlate directly with spine disability.     

Guidelines for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 2: assessment of functional outcome

Functional disability secondary to acute low-back pain, chronic low-back pain, lumbar stenosis, and lumbar disc disease may be reliably and validly assessed using functional outcome surveys that are valid, reliable, and responsive. Outcome instruments supported by Class I and Class II medical evidence for the evaluation of low-back pain include the Spinal Stenosis Survey of Stucki, Waddell-Main, RMDQ, DPQ, QPDS, SIP, Million Scale, LBPR Scale, ODI, and CBSQ. Many of these outcome measures have been applied to patients who have been treated with lumbar fusion for degenerative lumbar disease and have proven to be valid and responsive; however, the reliability of these instruments has never been specifically assessed in the lumbar fusion patient population. Patient satisfaction surveys have been used to measure outcome following lumbar fusion. Their usefulness resides in their insight into patient attitudes toward the treatment experience but is limited because of their inability to measure responsiveness and the lack of information on their reliability.     

Long-term evaluation of decompressive surgery for degenerative lumbar stenosis.

One-hundred patients who had undergone decompressive surgery for lumbar stenosis between 1980 and 1985 were evaluated as to their long-term outcome. Four patients with postfusion stenosis were included. A 5-year follow-up period was achieved in 88 patients. The mean age was 67 years, and 80% were over 60 years of age. There was a high incidence of coexisting medical diseases, but the principal disability was lumbar stenosis with neurological involvement. Results were categorized as either a surgical success or a failure, depending upon the achievement of preset goals within the context of lifestyle and needs. There were no perioperative complications. Initially there was a high incidence of success, but recurrence of neurological involvement and persistence of low-back pain led to an increasing number of failures. By 5 years this number had reached 27% of the available population pool, suggesting that the failure rate could reach 50% within the projected life expectancies of most patients. Of the 26 failures, 16 were secondary to renewed neurological involvement, which occurred at new levels of stenosis in eight and recurrence of stenosis at operative levels in eight. Reoperation was successful in 12 of these 16 patients, but two required a third operation. The incidence of spondylolisthesis at 5 years was higher in the surgical failures (12 of 26 patients) than in the surgical successes (16 of 64). Spondylolisthetic stenosis tended to recur within a few years following decompression. To forestall recurrences, it is suggested that stabilization be carried out at levels of spondylolisthetic stenosis and the initial decompression include adjacent levels of threatening symptomatic stenosis. However, the heterogenicity of this patient population, with varying patterns and levels of symptomatic stenosis, precludes application of rigid surgical protocols.