Resting Pain Level as a Preoperative Predictor of Success With Indirect Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective review of a single institution. Objective: To determine if resting leg pain level is a predictor of success for indirect decompression in the setting of lumbar spinal stenosis, with lower levels of rest pain correlating with greater likelihood of successful indirect decompression. Methods: Reviewed anterior or lateral lumbar interbody fusions from T12 to L5-S1 patients with a posterior-based pedicle screw-rod construct. Patients were separated into 2 groups based on a preoperative response to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Question 7 regarding level of pain at rest in the supine position. Responses of 0 to 2 (minimal rest pain) were group 1 (n = 54) and responses of 3 to 5 (significant rest pain) were group 2 (n = 16). Results: Preoperative difference was detected between groups 1 and 2, in ODI (38 vs 63, P