Surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: Patients' postoperative disability and working capacity

Summary A total of 439 patients operated on for lumbar spinal stenosis during the period 1974–1987 was re-examinated and evaluated for working and functional capacity approximately 4 years after the decompressive surgery. The assessment of subjective disability was based on the Oswestry low-back pain questionnaire. The proportion of excellent-to-good outcomes was 62% (women 57%, men 65%). The ability to work before or after the operation and a history of no prior back surgery were variables predictive of a good outcome. Before the operation 86 patients were working, 223 patients were on sick leave, and 130 patients were retired. After the operation 52 of the employed patients and 70 of the unemployed patients returned to work. None of the retired patients returned to work. In logistic regression analysis the ability to work preoperatively, age under 50 years at the time of operation and the absence of prior back surgery predicted a postoperative ability to work. Our results suggest that more attention should be focussed on the diagnosis of spinal stenosis and on the timing of the operative intervention.     

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.     

Psychometric properties of selected tests in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Background context

The psychometric properties of many outcome tools commonly used with patients with lumbar spinal stenosis have yet to be examined.

Purpose

Examine the test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and minimum levels of detectable and clinically important differences for several outcome measures in a cohort of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study design/setting

Cohort secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis receiving outpatient physical therapy.

Patient sample

Fifty-five patients (mean age, 69.5 years; standard deviation, ±7.9 years; 43.1% females) presenting with lumbar spinal stenosis to physical therapy.

Outcome measures

The Modified Oswestry Disability Index, Modified Swiss Spinal Stenosis Scale (SSS), Patient Specific Functional Scale, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

Methods

All patients completed the Oswestry Disability Index, SSS, Patient Specific Functional Scale, and NPRS at the baseline examination and at a follow-up. In addition, patients completed a 15-point Global Rating of Change at follow-up, which was used to categorize whether patients experienced clinically meaningful change. Changes in the Oswestry Disability Index, SSS, Patient Specific Functional Scale, and NPRS were then used to assess test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and minimum levels of detectable and clinically important differences.

Results

The Oswestry Disability Index was the only outcome measure to exhibit excellent test-retest reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.93). All others ranged between fair and moderate. The Oswestry Disability Index, SSS, and Patient Specific Functional Scale exhibited varying levels of responsiveness, each of which was superior to the NPRS. The minimal clinically important difference for the Oswestry Disability Index was five points, the SSS was 0.36 and 0.10 for symptoms subscale and functional subscale, respectively, 1.3 for the Patient Specific Functional Scale, and for the NPRS, 1.25 for back/buttock symptoms and 1.5 for thigh/leg symptoms.

Conclusions

The results of our study indicate that the Oswestry Disability Index, SSS, and Patient Specific Functional Scale possess adequate psychometric properties to be used in the outcome assessment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. However, further investigation is needed to validate these findings in other samples of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and nonspecific low back pain.     

Maximum pain on visual analog scales in spinal disorders

Background Context

Determining pain intensity is largely dependent on the patient's report.

Neurological impairment score in lumbar spinal stenosis

Background and aim

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is an interview-based instrument generally accepted as a measure of disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). There is, however, no generally accepted measure for neurological impairment in LSS. We therefore developed a scoring system [neurological impairment score in lumbar spinal stenosis (NIS-LSS)] for the assessment of neurological impairment in the lower limbs of patients with LSS, then performed a validation study to facilitate its implementation in the routine clinical evaluation of patients with LSS.

Methods

The NIS-LSS is based on the combined evaluation of tendon reflexes, tactile and vibratory sensation, pareses, and the ability to walk and run; the total score ranges from 0 (inability to walk) to 33 points (no impairment). A group of 117 patients with LSS and a control group of 63 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were assessed with the NIS-LSS to evaluate capacity to discriminate between LSS patients and controls. A correlation with the ODI was performed for assessment of construct validity.

Results

The median NIS-LSS was 27 points in LSS patients compared with 33 points in controls. The NIS-LSS discriminated LSS patients from healthy controls to a high degree of significance: the optimum NIS-LSS cut-off value was 32 points with a sensitivity of 85.5 % and a specificity of 81.3 % (p < 0.001). Overall NIS-LSS correlated significantly with the ODI score (p < 0.001). Vibratory sensation (p = 0.04), presence of paresis (p = 0.01) and especially the ability to walk and run (p < 0.001) were the NIS-LSS elements that correlated most closely with the degree of disability assessed by the ODI.

Conclusions

The NIS-LSS is a simple and valid measure of neurological impairment in the lower limbs of patients with LSS (without comorbidity), discriminating them from healthy controls to a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and correlating closely with the degree of disability. It extends our ability to quantify neurological status and to follow changes arising out of the natural course of the disease or the effects of treatment.     

The effect of prior back surgery on surgical outcome in patients operated on for lumbar spinal stenosis a matched-pair study

Summary It has been widely observed that the outcome after repeat lumbar surgery is rarely comparable to that of primary surgery. In particular, the results of repeat surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) have not been favourable. We used a matched-pair format in an attempt to decrease the confounding factors so as to determine as exactly as possible the effect of prior back surgery on the LSS patients surgical outcome. The matching criteria were sex, age, myelographic findings, major symptom, and duration of symptoms. From one group of 251 patients without prior back surgery (SO patients) and another of fifty-three patients with one preceding back operation (RS patients), forty-one similar matched patients pairs (one SO and one RS-patient) were formed.There were 8 female and 33 male pairs. The mean age of the SO patients was 51.6 and of the RS patient 51.4 years, and the mean follow-up time was 4.6 and 4.4 years. The assessment of outcome was based on a subjective disability questionnaire. The SO patients fared significantly better than the RS patients (32.1 versus 41.3, P = 0.026). A short time interval between operations in the RS patients had a worsening effect on outcome, but this trend was not significant.We concluded that one preceding back operation had a worsening effect on the outcome of patients operated on for LSS. As a whole, the results of RS patients were unfavourable. The proper time for achieving good surgical results in LSS patients is the initial operation.     

Predictors of residual symptoms in lower extremities after decompression surgery on lumbar spinal stenosis

Leg pain/numbness and gait disturbance, two major symptoms in the lower extremities of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), are generally expected to be alleviated by decompression surgery. However, the paucity of information available to patients before surgery about specific predictors has resulted in some of them being dissatisfied with the surgical outcome when the major symptoms remain after the procedure. This prospective, observational study sought to identify the predictors of the outcome of a decompression surgery: modified fenestration with restorative spinoplasty. Of 109 consecutive LSS patients who underwent the decompression surgery, 89 (56 males and 33 females) completed the 2 year follow-up. Both leg pain/numbness and gait disturbance determined by the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system were significantly improved at 2 years after surgery compared to those preoperative, regardless of potential predictors including gender, preoperative presence of resting numbness in the leg, drop foot, cauda equina syndrome, degenerative spinal deformity or myelographic filling defect, or the number of decompressed levels. However, 27 (30.3%) and 13 (14.6%) patients showed residual leg pain/numbness and gait disturbance, respectively. Among the variables examined, the preoperative resting numbness was associated with residual leg pain/numbness and gait disturbance, and the preoperative drop foot was associated with residual gait disturbance, which was confirmed by logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age and gender. This is the first study to identify specific predictors for these two remaining major symptoms of LSS after decompression surgery, and consideration could be given to including this in the informed consent.     

Histology of the ligamentum flavum in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

The degree of calcification as well as the structural changes of the elastic fibres in the ligamentum flavum in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated and the results were compared to those of patients without spinal stenosis. In 21 patients (13 male, 8 female) with lumbar spinal stenosis the ligamentum flavum was removed, histologically processed and stained. The calcification, the elastic/collagenous fibre ratio as well as the configuration of the fibres were evaluated with an image analyzing computer. As a control group, 20 ligaments of 10 human corpses were processed in the same way. The results were statistically analysed using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test (α = 0.05) and the t-test (α = 0.05). Nearly all the ligaments of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were calcified (average 0.17%, maximum 3.8%) and showed relevant fibrosis with decreased elastic/collagenous fibre ratio. There was a significant correlation between age and histological changes (P < 0.05). In the control group we only found minimal calcification in 3 of 20 segments (average 0.015%). No relevant fibrosis was found and the configuration of elastic fibres showed no pathologic changes. The results of this study illustrate the important role of histological changes of the ligamentum flavum for the aetiology of lumbar spinal stenosis. Received: 31 July 1998 Revised: 19 March 1999 Accepted: 12 April 1999     

后路椎间盘镜在治疗腰椎管狭窄症中的应用

目的：探讨后路椎间盘镜在治疗腰椎管狭窄症中的应用。方法：2000年2月--2001年12月退行性腰椎管狭窄症142例行后路椎间盘镜下椎管有限减压、全椎板或半椎板切除减压、开窗减压术。结果：应用后路椎间盘镜行椎管有限减压87例，减压松解充分。82例随访平均18月，优良率92．7％(优58例，良18例)。无并发症。结论：单纯腰椎间盘膨出或突出、黄韧带肥厚和小关节增生引起的退行性腰椎管狭窄症是后路椎间盘镜下椎管有限减压的适应证。满意的手术效果取决于：病人选择适当，术中操作精细，减压彻底。     

Decompression surgery improves gait quality in patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis

Background Context

We aimed to fully understand the extent of limitations associated with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and the functional outcome of its treatment, including not only function during daily activities (eg, using the 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) but also the quality of function that should be objectively assessed.

The relationship of disability (Oswestry) and pain drawings to functional testing

There was much enthusiasm about the development of computerized dynamometry in providing large quantities of data to objectively assess muscle performance. However, a much more basic issue arose questioning what these machines actual measure, particularly in pain populations. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients’ self-reported disability and pain expression, as evaluated with simple questionnaires, were related to isokinetic performance in low back pain patients. Method: Oswestry Disability Questionnaires and pain drawings were collected from 76 patients undergoing isokinetic testing upon entering a physical rehabilitation program. Isokinetic trunk testing was performed in the standing position and results recorded for flexion and extension at speeds of 50°, 100°, and 150° per second. Results: Patients indicating minimal disability on the Oswestry questionnaire performed better than those indicating greater levels of disability (P < 0.05; ANOVA with Tukey adjustment for multiple comparisons). Patients with greater pain drawing scores, indicating unusual pain patterns, performed more poorly during isokinetic testing than those with normal drawings (P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the lifting question from the Oswestry questionnaire, pain drawings scores, and sex were all significantly related to isokinetic performance and could account for 37.6–48.1% of the variance in performance (varying with speed of test). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that isokinetic test values are significantly influenced by a patient’s self-reported disability and pain expression, which can be evaluated using simple tools such as pain drawings and the Oswestry questionnaire. This study supports the supposition that dynamometry testing is related to factors other than muscle performance. Received: 29 December 1998 Revised: 26 November 1999 Accepted: 8 December 1999     

Development of a clinical diagnosis support tool to identify patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

No clinical diagnostic support tool can help identify patients with LSS. Simple diagnostic tool may improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of LSS. The aim of this study was to develop a simple clinical diagnostic tool that may help physicians to diagnose LSS in patients with lower leg symptoms. Patients with pain or numbness of the lower legs were prospectively enrolled. The diagnosis of LSS by experienced orthopedic specialists was the outcome measure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified factors that predicted LSS; a simple clinical prediction rule was developed by assigning a risk score to each item based on the estimated beta-coefficients. From December 2002 to December 2004, 104 orthopedic physicians from 22 clinics and 50 hospitals evaluated 468 patients. Two items of physical examination, three items of patients' symptom, and five items of physical examination were included in the final scoring system as a result of multiple logistic regression analysis. The sum of the risk scores for each patient ranged from −2 to 16. The Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic was 11.30 (P = 0.1851); the area under the ROC curve was 0.918. The clinical diagnostic support tool had a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 72.0%. The prevalence of LSS was 6.3% in the bottom quartile of the risk score (−2 to 5) and 99.0% in the top quartile (12 to 16). We developed a simple clinical diagnostic support tool to identify patients with LSS. Further studies are needed to validate this tool in primary care settings.     

Changes in HbA1c levels and body mass index after successful decompression surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lumbar spinal stenosis: results of a 2-year follow-up study

Background Context

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can hinder a patient's physical activity, which in turn can impair glucose tolerance and body weight regulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2). Therefore, successful lumbar surgery could facilitate glycemic control and body weight regulation.

简体中文版罗兰-莫里斯残疾问卷评价城乡腰背痛患者的信度和效度

目的：探讨简体中文版罗兰-莫里斯残疾问卷（SC-RMDQ）在城乡腰背痛患者功能评估中的应用价值。方法2009年4月至2011年4月采用SC-RMDQ、简体中文版Oswestry功能障碍指数（SC-ODI）和视觉模拟量表（VAS）对187例腰背痛患者（城市99例、农村88例）进行问卷调查评估。记录腰背痛发病的主要原因;采用内部一致性分析（显著性水平α）和重复性分析（组内相关系数,ICC）进行可靠性测试,运用Pearson相关分析进行有效性测试。结果农村患者腰背痛主要原因为弯腰（49%）和扭伤（25%）,城市患者为久坐（39%）和震动（18%）。农村、城市腰背痛患者SC-RMDQ显著性水平α和ICC分别为0.883、0.874和0.952、0.949,内部一致性和重复性均良好;农村、城市腰背痛患者SC-RMDQ与SC-ODI评分之间（r =0.841、0.818）、SC-RMDQ与VAS评分之间（r =0.685、0.666）均有显著相关性（P＜0.05）。结论尽管农村与城市患者腰背痛主要原因不尽相同,但SC-RMDQ具有良好的可靠性和有效性,是评估城乡患者残疾的适合方法之一。     

The outcome of spinal decompression surgery 5 years on

Decompression surgery is an increasingly common operation for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Although good relief from leg pain is expected after surgery, long term results of pain relief and function are more uncertain. This study prospectively followed a cohort of patients presenting with the signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis, who underwent decompression surgery to ascertain the long term outcome with respect to pain and function using visual analogue pain scores, the Oswestry Disability Index, and the Short Form 36, a general health questionnaire. From an initial pool of 84 recruited patients, 7 withdrew from surgical intervention; of the remaining 77, 51 (66%) returned for follow up assessments at 5 years. In these responders, a significant improvement was observed in back and leg pain, which was sustained for at least 1 year (P < 0.01). A significant improvement was also seen in physical function (P < 0.05) as assessed by Oswestry and SF-36. Although an initial improvement was noted in social function, this was not observed at 5 years. This study has demonstrated that decompression surgery is successful in relieving symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. Physical function, back and leg pain are significantly improved after 5 years but initial significant improvements in social function diminish over time.     

脊柱后路截骨治疗强直性脊柱炎后凸畸形合并Andersson损伤

目的 :探讨脊柱后路经损伤处截骨治疗强直性脊柱炎后凸畸形合并Andersson损伤的临床疗效。方法 :回顾性分析2012年1月~2014年1月采用脊柱后路经损伤处截骨治疗强直性脊柱炎后凸畸形合并Andersson损伤的15例患者。男14例,女1例;年龄22~44岁,平均35.7±6.1岁。患者均有腰背痛及后凸畸形,VAS评分6.8±0.8分,ODI为(55.4±12.8)%,局部后凸角51.9°±15.1°,整体后凸角61.6°±27.5°,4例伴有神经功能损伤,术前Frankel分级C级1例,D级3例,E级11例。所有患者均采用后路楔形截骨,术中进行截骨矫形前对Andersson损伤处的纤维组织和硬化骨进行彻底清除直至显露新鲜的松质骨。随访时间均为2年以上,收集患者随访期间的临床疗效评分(VAS和ODI)和影像学参数(局部后凸角、整体后凸角、胸腰段后凸角、腰椎前凸角、骶骨倾斜角和骨盆倾斜角),收集患者术后2年的全脊柱CT检查来评估螺钉置入和固定的情况,应用Bridwell椎间融合评估系统来评估损伤的愈合情况。结果 :所有手术均顺利完成,手术时间为279.4±32.9min,术中平均出血量1066.1±466.1ml。1例患者术中出现硬膜破裂,术中修补。1例患者术后出现肺部感染,应用抗生素治疗后痊愈。随访时间24~32个月,平均27.1±2.4个月。术后2年随访时,局部后凸角减小为7.9°±19.0°,平均矫正了44.6°±9.1°。整体后凸角减小为21.3°±10.6°(P0.05)。腰背疼VAS评分改善为0.7±0.6分(P0.05),ODI改善为(15.6±4.3)%(P0.05)。术后2年随访时原神经功能Frankel分级C级1例及D级3例均恢复为E级。CT显示Andersson损伤处均获得骨性融合,无内固定松动、断裂,均为Ⅰ级愈合。结论:脊柱后路经损伤处截骨治疗强直性脊柱炎后凸畸形合并Andersson损伤能够获得良好的融合和矫形效果,临床疗效满意。     

The influence of hand grip strength on surgical outcomes after surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: a preliminary result

Background Context

Although a number of prognostic factors have been demonstrated to be associated with surgical outcome of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS), no study has investigated the relation between hand grip strength (HGS) and treatment outcome of DLSS.

Depression is associated with poorer outcome of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery

The objective of this observational prospective study was to investigate the effect of depression on short-term outcome after lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery. Surgery was performed on 99 patients with clinically and radiologically defined LSS, representing ordinary LSS patients treated at the secondary care level. They completed questionnaires before surgery and 3 months postoperatively. Depression was assessed with the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Physical functioning and pain were assessed with Oswestry disability index, Stucki Questionnaire, self-reported walking ability, visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain drawing. Preoperatively, 20% of the patients had depression. In logistic regression analyses, significant associations were seen between preoperative depression and postoperative high Oswestry disability and Stucki severity scores and high intensity of pain (VAS score). In subsequent analyses, the patients with continuous depression, measured with BDI (60% of the patients who had preoperative depression), showed fewer improvements in symptom severity, disability score, pain intensity and walking capacity than the patients who did not experience depression at any phase. In those patients who recovered from depression, according to BDI-scores (35% of the patients with preoperative depression), the postoperative improvement was rather similar to the improvement seen in the normal mood group. In the surgical treatment of LSS, we recommend that the clinical practice should include an assessment of depression.     

单侧入路显微内镜椎管减压术治疗腰椎管狭窄症

目的采用前瞻性对比研究评价单侧入路显微内镜椎管减压术治疗腰椎管狭窄症的安全性及疗效。方法 2006年5月-2009年6月,收治79例椎管狭窄症患者,随机分为两组:A组37例采用常规后路开窗减压术,B组42例采用单侧入路显微内镜椎管减压术治疗。两组患者性别、年龄、病程、狭窄节段等一般资料比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)比较两组患者术后症状缓解情况,使用ODI改善率评定手术临床疗效,并对两组手术时间、术中出血量以及围手术期并发症进行对比。结果两组均顺利完成手术,A组手术时间(75.0±25.7)min,术中出血量(140.3±54.8)mL,术后引流量(46.5±19.7)mL;B组分别为(50.4±18.2)min、(80.2±35.7)mL、(12.7±5.3)mL;两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合。79例均获随访,随访时间12～39个月,平均16个月。A组5例发生并发症,1例为椎间隙感染,经保守治疗后痊愈;4例为术后腰椎不稳,经腰椎间融合联合脊柱内固定治愈。B组2例发生并发症,均为镜下硬膜小孔样撕裂脑脊液漏,行相应处理后治愈;随访时未发现腰椎不稳。两组术前VAS评分及ODI比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后早期及末次随访时较术前均有明显改善(P<0.05)。B组术后24 h的VAS评分及术后1个月的ODI均较A组降低(P<0.05),末次随访时两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。末次随访时根据ODI改善率得出的手术临床效果,A组优良率为89.2%,B组为92.9%,两组比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.896,P=0.827)。结论相比后路开放手术,单侧入路显微内镜椎管减压术手术损伤小、术后恢复好,具有更好的早期临床效果,是治疗腰椎管狭窄的有效方法之一。     

Sagittal spinal alignment in patients with lumbar disc herniation

A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate total sagittal spinal alignment in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and healthy subjects. Abnormal sagittal spinal alignment could cause persistent low back pain in lumbar disease. Previous studies analyzed sciatic scoliotic list in patients with lumbar disc herniation; but there is little or no information on the relationship between sagittal alignment and subjective findings. The study subjects were 61 LDH patients and 60 age-matched healthy subjects. Preoperative and 6-month postoperatively lateral whole-spine standing radiographs were assessed for the distance between C7 plumb line and posterior superior corner on the top margin of S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lumbar lordotic angle between the top margin of the first lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra (L1S1), pelvic tilting angle (PA), and pelvic morphologic angle (PRS1). Subjective symptoms were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score for lower back pain (nine points). The mean SVA value of the LDH group (32.7 ± 46.5 mm, ± SD) was significantly larger than that of the control (2.5 ± 17.1 mm), while L1S1 was smaller (36.7 ± 14.5°) and PA was larger (25.1 ± 9.0°) in LDH than control group (49.0 ± 10.0° and 18.2 ± 6.0°, respectively). At 6 months after surgery, the malalignment recovered to almost the same level as the control group. SVA correlated with the subjective symptoms measured by the JOA score. Sagittal spinal alignment in LDH exhibits more anterior translation of the C7 plumb line, less lumbar lordosis, and a more vertical sacrum. Measurements of these spinal parameters allowed assessment of the pathophysiology of LDH.