title: Effect of prior lumbar discectomy on outcome of lumbar fusion: a prospective analysis using the SF-36 measure.
abstract: This study prospectively measured patient-reported quality-of-life outcome in patients undergoing fusion for recurrent symptoms after prior discectomy. Analysis of SF-36 data revealed statistically significant improvement in physical function, social function, and bodily pain 1 year postoperatively. Analysis of variance revealed significant interactions based on worker's compensation, litigation status, educational level, and age. The results support the conclusion that the SF-36 is a useful and applicable tool for measuring patient perception and quality-of-life parameters after spinal surgery. SF-36 outcomes demonstrated a reasonable level of success for lumbar fusion in revision spine surgery, with the most significant improvements noted in the categories of pain, physical function, and social function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, and the Kenton D. Leatherman Spine Center, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Minkow
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dimar
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Puno
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Raque
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001863:Bone Screws; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data