Clinical Research Director Norton Leatherman Spine Center Louisville, KY, US
Disclosure(s):
Leah Carreon, MD, MSc: No relevant disclosure to display
Introduction: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis complain of leg pain, impaired walking capacity and loss of balance. Lumbar spinal stenosis may also cause urinary retention due to chronic compression of the cauda equina. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in functional measures of neurologic improvement after decompression and fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.
Methods: Patients scheduled for decompression and fusion due to spinal stenosis with grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis or less were enrolled. Tandem test for balance and post voiding bladder ultrasound was performed to determine residual urine volume at baseline and at 3-, 12- and 24 months post-op. Oswestry Disability Index, Visual analogue scale for back- and leg pain and EuroQol-5D were also collected.
Results: Among 101 patients included (mean age: 70.7 years, 77% female), 90% had symptoms for more than 6 months prior to surgery. Tandem test scores improved from 19.6 at baseline to 26.0 at 3 month follow up (p < 0.001) which was sustained at two years. Clinically relevant residual urine volume (≥100mL) seen in 12 patients pre-operatively resolved at the 12-month follow-up. Patient reported outcomes improved significantly from baseline to 3-months follow up and was sustained at 2-year follow up.
Conclusion : Decompression surgery improves objective measures if postural balance control and urinary function in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis two years post-operative.