1-year ODI Predicts Return-to-Work at 2 years among Employed Patients undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery for Grade II Spondylolisthesis – A Quality Outcomes Database Study

Introduction: Returning to work is a critical measure of patient function and success after surgery. In this study, we aimed to identify predictors of return-to-work status following lumbar spine surgery for grade II spondylolisthesis.

Methods: We queried the Quality Outcomes Database for employed patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery for grade II spondylolisthesis. Return-to-work status was assessed if patients returned to work at any time within 24 months postoperatively.

Results: Among 400 patients who underwent surgery for grade II spondylolisthesis, 170 were employed before surgery. Return-to-work data was available for 153 patients at 1 year postoperatively and 159 patients at 2 years postoperatively. 131 patients (85.6%) returned to work by 1 year and 140 patients (88.1%) returned to work by two years.

Patients who returned to work had lower ODI and higher EQ5D scores at baseline compared to those who did not return to work. Demographic characteristics did not differ between these groups. RTW patients had lower VAS-leg pain scores, higher EQ5D scores, and were more likely to be satisfied with surgery at 1 year post-operatively (p = 0.004).

In multivariate analysis, lower ODI at 12 months independently predicted return-to-work status by 24 months (OR 1.2, p = 0.04).

Conclusion : Patients with grade II spondylolisthesis have a high rate (88%) of returning to work after surgery. Lower ODI scores at 1 year predict return-to-work status by two-years postoperatively.