Surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis in old people.
We have reviewed 31 consecutive patients, aged 65 years or more, after surgical decompression for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. The average follow-up was 42 months. Assessment included a standard questionnaire, a pain diagram which was completed by the patient, and clinical and radiological examination. Patients were considered in three groups; degenerative spondylolisthesis (19), lateral recess stenosis (5), and central-mixed stenosis (7). The indication for surgery was leg pain: no patient had an operation for back pain alone. Fusion was never performed. Overall, 64% of the patients had an excellent result, 17% a good result and 19% a poor result. We conclude that the long-term outcome of decompressive surgery in the elderly is good; it does not differ from that reported for younger patients.
Wrightington Hospital for Joint Disease, Wigan, Lancashire, UK.
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Sanderson
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Wood
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome