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Proetzel S, Weigl MB. Is multidisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain effective in patients above 65 years? An observational cohort study with 12-month follow-up. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2021; 57:783-792. [PMID: 34128604 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.21.06553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In contrast to the broad evidence for the effectiveness of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation (MBR) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients of working age, little is known about the benefit in patients aged ≥ 65 years. AIM To quantify the short-term and 12-month effects of a 3-week CLBP specific MBR program in patients ≥ 65 years of age; to compare the effects in patients ≥ 65 years of age to the effects in younger patients. DESIGN Observational prospective cohort study. SETTING Outpatient clinic at a tertiary physical medicine and rehabilitation centre. POPULATION Consecutive patients with CLBP who participated in a CLBP a specific MBR program. METHODS The 3-week MBR program included 44 hours of treatment. The primary outcomes pain and disability were measured by the North American Spine Society Questionnaire (NASS). Secondary outcome measures were the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and the numerical rating scale for pain. Effects were quantified using effect sizes (ES). RESULTS From 203 included patients, 104 patients older than 65 years (mean: 70.7; SD: 4.0) were compared to 99 patients younger than 65 years (mean: 56.4; SD: 6.7). The older patients had more comorbidities (two or more comorbidities: 49.5% versus 23.5%; p < 0.001). Both groups showed significant improvements in pain and disability at discharge (both groups: p<0.001) and at the 12 months' follow-up (old: p < 0.001; young: 0.039) with slightly higher effects for the older patients compared to the younger patients (discharge: ES = 0.67 versus ES = 0.53; 12 months: ES = 0.42 versus ES = 0.29). Both groups also improved in the SF-36 Physical Component Summary with slightly lower effects for the older patients (discharge: ES =0.31, p<0.001 versus ES=0.43, p<0.001; 12 months: ES=0.27, p=0.025 versus ES=0.39, p=0.001). The group differences of the change scores were not significant in any of the outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS MBR shows similar improvements in pain and disability in patients aged ≥ 65 compared to younger patients for at least 12 months. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT The findings support the concept of MBR in the growing population of CLBP patients older than 65 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Proetzel
- Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.,Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Wertachklinik Bobingen, Germany
| | - Martin B Weigl
- Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany -
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Weigl M, Letzel J, Angst F. Prognostic factors for the improvement of pain and disability following multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with chronic neck pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:330. [PMID: 33812386 PMCID: PMC8019506 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of specific, multidisciplinary, bio-psychosocial, rehabilitation programmes for chronic neck pain. However, prognostic factors for the improvement of pain and disability are mostly unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore prognostic factors associated with improvements in chronic neck pain following participation in a three-week, multidisciplinary, bio-psychosocial, rehabilitation programme. Methods In this observational, prospective cohort study, a total of 112 patients were assessed at the beginning, end, and 6 months following the completion of a multidisciplinary, bio-psychosocial, rehabilitation programme. Inclusion for participation in the rehabilitation programme depended upon an interdisciplinary pain assessment. The primary outcome was neck pain and disability, which was measured using the Northern American Spine Society questionnaire for pain+disability and was quantified with effect sizes (ES). Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to explore potential prognostic factors associated with improvements in pain and disability scores at discharge and at the 6-month follow-up period. Results The mean age of the patients was 59.7 years (standard deviation = 10.8), and 70.5% were female. Patients showed improvement in pain+disability at discharge (ES = 0.56; p < 0.001), which was sustained at the 6-month follow-up (ES = 0.56; p < 0.001). Prognostic factors associated with improvement in pain+disability scores at discharge included poor pain+disability baseline scores (partial, adjusted correlation r = 0.414, p < 0.001), older age (r = 0.223, p = 0.024), a good baseline cervical active range-of-motion (ROM) (r = 0.210, p < 0.033), and improvements in the Short-form 36 mental health scale (r = 0.197; p = 0.047) and cervical ROMs (r = 0.195, p = 0.048) from baseline values. Prognostic factors associated with improvements in pain+disability at the 6-month follow-up were similar and included poor pain+disability baseline scores (partial, adjusted correlation r = 0.364, p < 0.001), improvements in the Short-form 36 mental health scale (r = 0.232; p = 0.002), cervical ROMs (r = 0.247, p = 0.011), and better cervical ROM baseline scores. However, older age was not a factor (r = 0.134, p = 0.172). Conclusions Future prognostic models for treatment outcomes in chronic neck pain patients should consider cervical ROM and mental health status. Knowledge of prognostic factors may help in the adoption of individualized treatment for patients who are less likely to respond to multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04194-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Weigl
- Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Josefine Letzel
- Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum Dritter Orden, Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Angst
- Research Department, Rehaklinik Bad Zurzach, Zurzach Care Group, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland
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Numbness and Weakness Recovered at a Less Extent in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy. Pain Res Manag 2019; 2019:4642701. [PMID: 31949548 PMCID: PMC6942906 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4642701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) may present with motor disorders and various sensory disorders, among which pain and numbness are the most common ones. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is reported to be both safe and effective. However, most of the previous studies focused on the recovery of pain, and the relief extent of numbness and weakness has rarely been reported. The Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI) is a self-assessment tool for LDH patients. It has demonstrated acceptable reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness. Objectives Our aim was to explore the curative effect of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy and to compare the various extent of relief among pain, numbness, and weakness. Methods The medical records of patients admitted for LDH from September 2016 to December 2018 were collected, and the patients were followed up for 3 months to evaluate the relief of their clinical symptoms. Preoperative and postoperative total scores and subitem scores of SBI were compared to evaluate the relief of pain, numbness, and weakness. Surgical outcomes of PELD were evaluated by the Nakai score, and patients were divided into two groups accordingly, which were the relief group (excellent and good in the Nakai score) and the less relief group (fair and poor in the Nakai score). Risk factors for PELD outcomes and preoperative presence of numbness and/or weakness were analyzed by the logistic model, and p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 86 patients met the inclusion criteria and acquired 3 months follow-up. Relief extent of pain, numbness, and weakness, was 82%, 41%, and 21%, respectively. There were 71 cases in the relief group and 15 cases in the less relief group. Results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative pain score of SBI (p=0.002; OR: 1.647 (1.199-2.261)) was a relatively independent risk factor for PELD outcomes, and multiplicativity of duration of preoperative symptoms and imaging grade [p=0.004; OR: 1.015 (1.005-1.026)] was a relatively independent risk factor for preoperative presence of numbness and/or weakness. Conclusions PELD had a good curative effect in the treatment of LDH. Patients of LDH recovered best from pain, followed by numbness and weakness after PELD. Higher level of patients self-reported preoperative pain indicated a better surgical outcome for LDH patients, and preoperative long duration of symptoms together with a severe compression of nerve root significantly increased the risk of presenting numbness and/or weakness.
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Peng H, Tang G, Zhuang X, Lu S, Bai Y, Xu L. Minimally invasive spine surgery decreases postoperative pain and inflammation for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:3032-3036. [PMID: 31555386 PMCID: PMC6755410 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In certain cases, lumbar spinal stenosis may lead to lumbar nervous disorder. A previous study indicated that minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) presents benefits compared with conventional open surgery (COS). In the current study, the efficacy of MISS and COS for lumbar spinal stenosis patients was investigated. A total of 82 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were enrolled and divided into two age-matched groups that received MISS (n=41) or COS (n=41). Patient parameters, including symptoms, inflammatory score, visual analog score (VAS), wound length, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), hospital stay and postoperative outcomes were analyzed in the current study. Outcomes indicated that both MISS and COS significantly improved symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis compared with the baseline. It was observed that MISS resulted in decreased wound length and hospital stay compared with COS for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The results revealed that MISS had better outcomes compared with COS in improving ODI and inflammatory score for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Notably, it was identified that MISS exhibited improved VAS for back and leg pain compared with the COS group for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. In conclusion, these outcomes indicate that MISS was more effective compared with COS for improving symptoms in patients with lumbar stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated National Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Guangping Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, Wuhan Hanyang Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430050, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Zhuang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated National Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Shenglin Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated National Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yu Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated National Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Traumatology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
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Wiitavaara B, Heiden M. Content and psychometric evaluations of questionnaires for assessing physical function in people with low back disorders. A systematic review of the literature. Disabil Rehabil 2018; 42:163-172. [PMID: 30324809 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1495274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose was to investigate how physical function is assessed in people with musculoskeletal disorders in the low back. Specifically:Which questionnaires are used to assess physical function in people with musculoskeletal disorders in the low back?What aspects of physical function do those questionnaires measure?What are the measurement properties of the questionnaires?Materials and methods: A systematic review was performed to identify questionnaires and psychometric evaluations of them. The content of the questionnaires was categorised according to the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health, and the psychometric evaluations were categorised using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.Results: The questionnaires measured disability or ability to cope in everyday life, rather than physical function as such. Different aspects of a person's mobility and ability to attend to one's personal care were most often included regarding activity and participation. For body functions, items about sleep and pain were most often included. The Oswestry Disability Index and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale showed adequate psychometric properties in most evaluations.Conclusions: The extent of psychometric evaluations differed substantially, as did the items included. Focus of measurement was predominantly on activities in daily life.Implications for rehabilitationValid and reliable instruments that measure relevant aspects of low back disorders are needed to provide early diagnostics and effective treatment.Most questionnaires need more psychometric evaluations to establish the quality.The Oswestry Disability Index and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale showed adequate psychometric properties in most evaluations.The results may be useful when making decisions about which measurement instruments to use when evaluating low back disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Wiitavaara
- Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Marina Heiden
- Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
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Ghimire P, Hasegawa H, Kalyal N, Hurwitz V, Ashkan K. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Neurosurgery: A Review of the Current Literature. Neurosurgery 2018; 83:622-630. [PMID: 29165605 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyx547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) play an important role in the evaluation of health outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction, and have been successfully utilized in many areas of clinical medicine and surgical practice. The prevalence of PROMs in neurosurgery is not known. OBJECTIVE To review the PROMs that have been utilized in the published neurosurgery literature to date. METHODS Articles were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, HMIC Health Management Information Consortium, PsycARTICLES, and PsycINFO using search terms related to neurosurgery and PROMs, published from 1806 to August 2016. A total of 268 articles were identified that were stratified by the inclusion and exclusion criteria leading to a total of 137 articles. Twenty-six PROMs, involving both adult and pediatric populations, were identified. RESULTS A large number of generic and disease-specific PROMs are used in the neurosurgical literature. Generic PROMs are usually nonspecific measures of health status. Disease-specific PROMs may not address issues relevant to neurosurgical procedures. There are very few neurosurgery-specific PROMs that take into account the impact of a neurosurgical procedure on a specific condition. CONCLUSION PROMs that currently feature in the neurosurgical literature may not address the specific outcomes relevant to neurosurgical practice. There is an emergent need for generic and disease-specific PROMs to be validated in neurosurgical patients and neurosurgery-specific PROMs developed to address unmet needs of patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajwal Ghimire
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's Coll-ege Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harutomo Hasegawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's Coll-ege Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nida Kalyal
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's Coll-ege Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Hurwitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's Coll-ege Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keyoumars Ashkan
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's Coll-ege Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Wilson TJ, Franz E, Vollmer CF, Chang KWC, Upadhyaya C, Park P, Yang LJS. Patient-perceived surgical indication influences patient expectations of surgery for degenerative spinal disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2017; 157:11-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Comparison of 2 Zero-Profile Implants in the Treatment of Single-Level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Preliminary Clinical Study of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty versus Fusion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159761. [PMID: 27441736 PMCID: PMC4956276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) with Discover prosthesis or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with Zero-P cage has been widely used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, little is known about the comparison of the 2 zero-profile implants in the treatment of single-level CSM. The aim was to compare the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters of CDA with Discover prosthesis and ACDF with Zero-P cage for the treatment of single-level CSM. Methods A total of 128 consecutive patients who underwent 1-level CDA with Discover prosthesis or ACDF with Zero-P cage for single-level CSM between September 2009 and December 2012 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Neck Disability Index (NDI). For radiographic assessment, the overall sagittal alignment (OSA), functional spinal unit (FSU) angle, and range of motion (ROM) at the index and adjacent levels were measured before and after surgery. Additionally, the complications were also recorded. Results Both treatments significantly improved all clinical parameters (P < 0.05), without statistically relevant differences between the 2 groups. The OSA and FSU angle increased significantly in both groups (P <0.05). Compared with Zero-P group, ROMs at the index levels were well maintained in the Discover group (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistical differences in the ROMs of adjacent levels between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Besides, no significant differences existed in dysphagia, subsidence, or adjacent disc degeneration between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences occurred in prosthesis migration in CDA group. Conclusions The results of this study showed that clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters were satisfactory and comparable with the 2 techniques. However, more attention to prosthesis migration of artificial cervical disc should be paid in the postoperative early-term follow-up.
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Nützi M, Koch P, Baur H, Elfering A. Work-Family Conflict, Task Interruptions, and Influence at Work Predict Musculoskeletal Pain in Operating Room Nurses. Saf Health Work 2015; 6:329-37. [PMID: 26929846 PMCID: PMC4682021 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in Swiss operating room (OR) nurses, and to investigate how work–family conflict, work interruptions, and influence at work are related to lumbar and cervical back pain. Methods Participants in this correlational questionnaire study included 116 OR nurses from eight different hospitals in Switzerland. Results We found that 66% of the OR staff suffered from musculoskeletal problems. The most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints were lumbar (52.7%) and cervical pain (38.4%). Furthermore, 20.5% reported pain in the mid spine region, 20.5% in the knees and legs, and 9.8% in the hands and feet. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that work–family conflict (p < 0.05) and interruptions (p < 0.05) significantly predicted lumbar and cervical pain in OR nurses, while influence at work (p < 0.05) only predicted lumbar pain. Conclusion These results suggest that reducing the work–family conflict and interruptions at work, as well as offering opportunities to influence one's workplace, help to promote OR nurses' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Nützi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Koch
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Heiner Baur
- Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Achim Elfering
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; National Centre of Competence in Research, Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CISA, Geneva, Switzerland
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Aghayev E, Etter C, Bärlocher C, Sgier F, Otten P, Heini P, Hausmann O, Maestretti G, Baur M, Porchet F, Markwalder TM, Schären S, Neukamp M, Röder C. Five-year results of lumbar disc prostheses in the SWISSspine registry. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2014; 23:2114-26. [PMID: 24947182 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-014-3418-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health demanded a nationwide HTA registry for lumbar total disc arthroplasty (TDA), to decide about its reimbursement. The goal of the SWISS spine registry is to generate evidence about the safety and efficiency of lumbar TDA. METHODS Two hundred forty-eight cases treated between 3-2005 and 6-2006, who were eligible for the 5-year follow-up were included in the study. Follow-up rates for 3-6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years were 85.9, 77.0, 44.0 and 51.2 %, respectively. Outcome measures were back and leg pain, medication consumption, quality of life, intraoperative and postoperative complication and revision rates. Additionally, segmental mobility, ossification, adjacent and distant segment degeneration were analysed at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS There was a significant, clinically relevant and lasting reduction of back (preop/postop 73/29 VAS points) and leg pain (preop/postop VAS 55/22) and a consequently decreased analgesics consumption and quality of life improvement (preop/postop 0.30/0.76 EQ-5D score points) until 5 years after surgery. The rates for intraoperative and early postoperative complications were 4.4 and 3.2 %, respectively. The overall complication rate during five postoperative years was 23.4 %, and the adjacent segment degeneration rate was 10.7 %. In 4.4 % of patients, a revision surgery was performed. Cumulative survivorship probability for a revision/re-intervention-free 5-year postoperative course was 90.4 %. At the 5-year follow-up, the average range of motion of the mobile segments (86.8 %) was 9.7°. In 43.9 % of patients, osteophytes at least potentially affecting the range of motion were seen. CONCLUSIONS Lumbar TDA appeared as efficient in long-term pain alleviation, consequent reduction of pain medication consumption and improvement of quality of life. The procedure also appeared sufficiently safe, but surgeons have to be aware of a list of potential adverse events. The outcome is stable over the 5-year postoperative period. The vast majority of treated segments remained mobile after 5 years, although almost half of patients showed osteophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emin Aghayev
- Institute for Evaluative Research in Medicine, Stauffacherstrasse 78, 3014, Bern, Switzerland,
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