VAS score assessment for outcome of posterior lumbar inter body fusion in cases of lumbar canal stenosis

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> One of the major causes for disability in adult working population is degenerative lumbosacral spine disorders are fairly common in middle aged and elderly population. Lumbar canal stenosis remains one of the most frequently encountered clinically important degenerative spinal disorders requiring operative treatment in the aging population. The objective of the present study is to assess the outcome of posterior lumbar inter body fusion in cases of lumbar canal stenosis</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present study, 30 cases of lumbar canal stenosis, who were treated operatively with decompression and posterior lumbar inter body fusion, which was carried out over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care center were included. 16 women and 14 men were included in the study.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Most patients were in the age group of 41-50 years (36.7%) followed by 51-60 years (33.3%). In this study it was found that there was significant improvement in VAS score for back pain and leg pain over the 6 month follow-up. There is significant difference between mean improvement in VAS score with respect to number of levels involved for leg pain (p =0.01). There is no statistical significance difference between number of levels involved and improvement in back pain (p =0.66).</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong>VAS score showed posterior lumbar interbody fusion with interbody cage and local graft with posterior instrumentation gave significantly improved clinical and functional outcome by causing significant reduction in pain and patient disability.<p> </p>