Outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis: an observational study using the Swedish Spine register.

Abstract

The outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis was studied in the Swedish Spine register. 209 patients (mean age 66 years) were identified; 45 had undergone decompression and/or fusion of one segment (minor group) and 164 had undergone fusion of two or more segments, with or without decompression (major group). VAS back pain, VAS leg pain, ODI and EQ-5D index improved after surgery in both groups (p < 0.05), with medium to large effect sizes of surgery. Global assessment for back pain and satisfaction was significantly better in the major group than in the minor group (p < 0.05) at the 2-year follow-up. Additional spine surgery was observed in 57 out of the 209 patients during a mean period of 5.4 years. Surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis improves quality of life with medium to large effect sizes, but carries a high risk of additional surgery.