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Decompression with fusion may offer better results for predominant back pain
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Patients with predominant low back pain and degenerative spondylolisthesis may experience better surgical results if they opt for decompression with fusion over decompression alone, according to researchers.
Using the Swedish Spine Register, the researchers identified 1,624 patients operated for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) at the L4-5 level for inclusion in the study. Self-reported outcomes for VAS and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) back pain and leg pain were used. Additionally, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were used to estimate function, and the physical and mental component summaries of the SF-36 were used to estimate health-related quality of life.
At 1-year follow up, patients with predominant back pain reported a 7.9-mm score improvement on the VAS for back pain after decompression and fusion compared with patients who underwent decompression alone, according to the researchers. Additionally, decompression with fusion led to less pain, better ODI scores and better EQ-5D scores when compared with fusion alone. However, no significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups at the 2-year follow-up, the researchers reported.
Although scores were improved with decompression and fusion, the researchers noted differences in back pain between the two groups at baseline may be the defining reason for the improvements, and not the addition of fusion. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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