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Only walking matters-assessment following lumbar stenosis decompression
S Budithi1, Rohit Dhawan2, Andrew Cattell1
1Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry, UK.
Summary
Walking distance effectively measures spinal stenosis surgery outcomes. Pre-operative disc height and male gender predicted better walking improvements post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Spinal surgery outcomes assessment
- Patient-reported outcome measures
- Biomechanical analysis of gait
Background:
- Spinal decompression surgery outcomes are typically complex to convey pre-operatively.
- Need for accessible and understandable outcome measures for patients undergoing spinal stenosis surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate surgical outcomes for spinal stenosis using walking distance as a primary measure.
- To identify factors influencing post-operative walking distance improvement.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 76 patients undergoing spinal decompression via spinous process osteotomy.
- Walking distance measured pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at 3-month follow-up using a measuring wheel.
- Analysis of factors including age, gender, disc height, ASA grade, and levels operated on.
Main Results:
- Mean walking distances increased significantly from 78.1m pre-op to 1285m at 3-month follow-up.
- Pre-operative disc height and male gender were significant predictors of improved walking distance.
- 15.8% experienced complications; 35.5% had residual leg symptoms at 6.3-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Walking distance is a practical and reliable outcome measure for spinal decompression surgery.
- This method aids in setting realistic patient expectations regarding surgical results.
