Seven- to 10-year outcome of decompressive surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review and prospective follow-up of 88 patients who had decompressive laminectomy with or without fusion from 1983 to 1986.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 7- to 10-year outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is limited information on the impact of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis on symptoms, walking ability, and satisfaction, as well as reoperation.

METHODS: Patients completed standardized questionnaires in 1993 that included items about reoperations, back pain, leg pain, walking capacity, and satisfaction with surgery. Associations between preoperative demographic and clinical variables and outcomes 7 to 10 years after surgery were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: Average preoperative age was 69 years and eight patients received fusion. Of 88 patients in the original cohort, 20 (23%) were deceased and 20 (23%) had undergone reoperation by 7- to 10-year follow-up. Fifty-five patients answered questionnaires. Average duration of follow-up was 8.1 years. Thirty-three percent of the respondents had severe back pain at follow-up, 53% were unable to walk two blocks, and 75% were satisfied with the results of surgery. The severity of current spine-related symptoms was a stronger correlate of physical functional status at the time of follow-up than age or nonspinal comorbid conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Seven to 10 years after decompressive surgery for spinal stenosis, 23% of patients had undergone reoperation and 33% of respondents had severe back pain. Despite a high prevalence of nonspinal problems in this elderly cohort, spinal symptoms were the most important correlate of reduced functional status.