PURPOSE: Multiple outcome measures exist to evaluate the outcomes of spinal decompression surgery; however, these tend to be complex and are difficult to express to the patient pre-operatively to accurately guide their expectations. We present outcomes, in terms of walking distance measurement, of a prospective single surgeon series of 76 consecutive patients with spinal stenosis. METHODS: 76 patients (mean age 68.8 years; 48-91 years) had decompression surgery using spinous process osteotomy. Accurate measurement of walking distance was used as an outcome measure, and factors that affect it were evaluated. Walking distance was measured pre-operatively, post-operatively and at 3 months follow-up using a measuring wheel. The minimum follow-up was 5 years. RESULTS: The mean distances walked were 78.1, 419.9 and 1285 m, respectively. Pre-operative disc height (p = 0.023) and male gender (p = 0.039) predicted a significant improvement in walking distance, while age (p = 0.23), ASA grade (p = 0.39) and the number of levels operated on (p = 0.89) did not significantly affect the increase in walking distance. 12 patients experienced post-operative complications (15.8%), and at last clinical follow-up (6.3 years, 5.1-6.9 years) 27 patients (35.5%) had residual leg symptoms and 8 had undergone further revision procedures (10.5%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that walking distance is an accurate and accessible method of determining surgical outcomes.
PURPOSE: Multiple outcome measures exist to evaluate the outcomes of spinal decompression surgery; however, these tend to be complex and are difficult to express to the patient pre-operatively to accurately guide their expectations. We present outcomes, in terms of walking distance measurement, of a prospective single surgeon series of 76 consecutive patients with spinal stenosis. METHODS: 76 patients (mean age 68.8 years; 48-91 years) had decompression surgery using spinous process osteotomy. Accurate measurement of walking distance was used as an outcome measure, and factors that affect it were evaluated. Walking distance was measured pre-operatively, post-operatively and at 3 months follow-up using a measuring wheel. The minimum follow-up was 5 years. RESULTS: The mean distances walked were 78.1, 419.9 and 1285 m, respectively. Pre-operative disc height (p = 0.023) and male gender (p = 0.039) predicted a significant improvement in walking distance, while age (p = 0.23), ASA grade (p = 0.39) and the number of levels operated on (p = 0.89) did not significantly affect the increase in walking distance. 12 patients experienced post-operative complications (15.8%), and at last clinical follow-up (6.3 years, 5.1-6.9 years) 27 patients (35.5%) had residual leg symptoms and 8 had undergone further revision procedures (10.5%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that walking distance is an accurate and accessible method of determining surgical outcomes.
Authors: F P Cammisa; F P Girardi; P K Sangani; H K Parvataneni; S Cadag; H S Sandhu Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2000-10-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Michael C Gerling; Dante Leven; Peter G Passias; Virginie Lafage; Kristina Bianco; Alexandra Lee; Jon D Lurie; Tor D Tosteson; Wenyan Zhao; Kevin F Spratt; Kristen Radcliff; Thomas J Errico Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2016-05 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Adam M Pearson; Jon D Lurie; Emily A Blood; John W Frymoyer; Heike Braeutigam; Howard An; Federico P Girardi; James N Weinstein Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2008-12-01 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: B Balain; O Ennis; G Kanes; R Singhal; S N J Roberts; Dai Rees; J H Kuiper Journal: Osteoarthritis Cartilage Date: 2009-02-28 Impact factor: 6.576
Authors: J N Katz; S J Lipson; G W Brick; L J Grobler; J N Weinstein; A H Fossel; R A Lew; M H Liang Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 1995-05-15 Impact factor: 3.468