Decompressive surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: long-term results

We report the outcome of 50 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who were treated surgically by spinal decompression between 1984 and 1995. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 59.9 (45-77) years and the mean follow-up was 11.6 (6.1-17.2) years. Five patients had a concomitant spinal fusion. The preoperative data were collected retrospectively from the patients' charts. The follow-up data were obtained from a clinical examination and questionnaire including overall pain, ability to work, walking ability, use of analgesics and satisfaction with surgery. The outcome was rated as excellent in 23 patients, good in 13 patients, fair in 9 patients and poor in 5 patients. Patients with concomitant fusion had good to excellent results and were more satisfied, whereas patients with long-standing preoperative symptoms had poor to fair result and were less satisfied.