Clinical and functional outcomes after posterior decompression for prolapsed intervertebral disc at lumbosacral spine: A Prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar decompression surgery is one of the most commonly performed spine surgery with numerous variations in the techniques till date. Aim: the aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome in patients with lumbosacral disc prolapse after decompression surgery. Materials and Method: A prospective study was conducted on 25 patients with single level lumbar disc prolapse between June 2016 and June 2017. The inclusion criteria were intervertebral disc prolapse at L3-L4/L4-L5 or L5-S1 level with symptoms of radiculopathy for more than 6 weeks who failed conservative line of management. Patients with marked instability, history of previous spine surgery, multiple level involvement and patients with infection were excluded from the study. Results:The mean age of the patients was 44.56+/- 4.34 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 30.24+/-6.20 weeks. The average duration of surgery was 89.32+/-21/15 mins. 52% of the patients had L4-L5 level involvement. The average duration of stay in the hospital was 4.72+/-2.08 days. The pre-operative Visual analog scale score was 6.24+/- 2.34 which decreased to 1.72+/- 0.65 at 24 months. The Mean Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire score was 63.83 pre-operatively which decreased significantly to 19.18 at the end of 12 and 24 months (P< 0.001). Conclusion: Lumbar decompression surgery by standard posterior approach gives a good functional outcome in patients with lumbar disc prolapse and symptoms of radiculopathy without instability.