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European Spine Journal

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01-01-2014 | Original Article

Improvement in low back pain following spinal decompression: observational study of 119 patients

Authors: Alistair Daniel Robert Jones, Ahmad Mounir Wafai, Amy Louise Easterbrook

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Study design

Prospective clinical observational study of low back pain (LBP) in patients undergoing laminectomy or laminotomy surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Objectives

To quantify any change in LBP following laminectomy or laminotomy spinal decompression surgery.

Patients and methods

119 patients with LSS completed Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale for back and leg pain, preoperatively, 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively.

Results

There was significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in mean LBP from a baseline of 5.14/10 to 3.03/10 at 6 weeks. Similar results were seen at 1 year where mean LBP score was 3.07/10. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the mean ODI at 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. Mean ODI fell from 44.82 to 25.13 at 6 weeks and 28.39 at 1 year.

Conclusion

The aim of surgery in patients with LSS is to improve the resulting symptoms that include radicular leg pain and claudication. This observational study reports statistically significant improvement of LBP after LSS surgery. This provides frequency distribution data, which can be used to inform prospective patients of the expected outcomes of such surgery.

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Title: Improvement in low back pain following spinal decompression: observational study of 119 patients
Authors: Alistair Daniel Robert Jones
Ahmad Mounir Wafai
Amy Louise Easterbrook
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2964-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Improvement in low back pain following spinal decompression: observational study of 119 patients

Abstract

Study design

Objectives

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Study design

Objectives

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

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