A new article published in Spine examined the impact of lumbar stiffness post-surgery on daily activities.
The researchers studied 93 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative lumbar disease. The average age was 69 years old and the patients were followed for 24 months to 46 months. The researchers found:
1. There was decreased rating in all questionnaire items for the daily living activities section and SF-36 physical components related to the postoperative lumbar stiffness. This trend was significantly related to the number of fused segments.
2. There wasn't a difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups.
3. The patients who had one- or two-level fusions didn't report serious limitations in most activities of daily living.
4. The patients who underwent three- or four-level fusions reported more limitations due to postoperative stiffness than the one- or two-level patients.
5. The researchers concluded, "Spine surgeons should consider the patient's occupation and lifestyle in preoperative planning." The results could help surgeons explain outcomes to patients post-fusion.