In a recent study published in Spine, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study comparing patient and surgeon expectations prior to spine surgery. Following a preoperative discussion, patients and spine surgeons separately filled out a survey of outcome expectation that included:• Axial pain
• Radiating pain
• Sensory and motor function
• Pain medication usage
• Ability to work, participate in household activities and play sports
Overall, patient expectation exceeded surgeon expectation. The study found that patient and surgeon expectations were aligned in 75 percent of sensory cases and 61 percent of motor cases. In the case of axial pain and ability to participate in activities, patient expectations were by far higher than surgeon expectations.
The study concluded that there is a need to provide clearer explanations to lower the degree of difference between surgeon and patient preoperative expectations.
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