Functional outcome analysis including preoperative and postoperative SF-36 for surgically treated adult isthmic spondylolisthesis.
METHODS
Prospective and retrospective outcome analysis following arthrodesis for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis in 31 patients.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether or not patients having such surgery have a functional improvement in their lives.


BACKGROUND
The literature is full of articles concerning adolescent spondylolisthesis, the union rate for adult spondylolisthesis, the ability to reduce deformities, and the outcome of surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis, but very scant on the postoperative functional outcome of adults with isthmic spondylolisthesis.


METHODS
Functional outcome was analyzed by both preoperative and postoperative SF-36 questionnaires and by four additional functional questionnaires at follow-up.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvement was seen in six of the eight SF-36 scales. Fifty-five percent of the patients scored in the normal range at follow-up compared with none before surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant functional improvement was seen following surgical arthrodesis of the painful segments in adults with isthmic spondylolisthesis (P = 0.001). This study further confirms that such surgery is appropriate for patients failing adequate nonoperative treatment.
L'Heureux
E Alexander
EA
Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404, USA.
Perra
Joseph H
JH
Pinto
Manuel R
MR
Smith
Michael D
MD
Denis
Francis
F
Lonstein
John E
JE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome