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

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.