Low back pain in patients treated surgically for scoliosis: longer than sixteen-year follow-up.
METHODS
A retrospective study.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate long-term outcome regarding low back pain (LBP) in patients treated surgically for scoliosis.


BACKGROUND
Measures of long-term outcome after surgery for scoliosis have focused mainly on radiologic changes. However, subjective symptoms such as LBP after surgical treatment are of great concern to patients who undergo surgical treatment for scoliosis.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients treated surgically for scoliosis between 1976 and 1989 were included in this study. The mean duration of follow-up was 21.1 years. Eighteen patients had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 8 had congenital scoliosis, and 6 had symptomatic scoliosis. We evaluated long-term outcome by direct interview. Degree of LBP was evaluated by visual analogue scale score and Moskowitz classification in addition to clinical and radiologic evaluation. Patients were also asked to complete the SF-36 questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean visual analogue scale score at the latest follow-up was 21 (0-80), and 15% of patients had occasional or frequent LBP in Moskowitz classification. On the SF-36, score for bodily pain was not markedly different from that for age-matched controls. Among radiologic findings, level of distal fusion had no effect on the incidence or severity of LBP. Furthermore, preoperative Cobb angle, latest Cobb angle, and degenerative changes of subjacent segment each exhibited no correlation with degree of LBP, either. On the other hand, sagittal balance was a factor affecting LBP following scoliosis surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
We evaluated long-term outcomes regarding LBP following scoliosis surgery. Regardless of residual back deformity, LBP was found to be no more frequent than in the normal population in Japan. Positive sagittal balance at the latest follow-up was a factor significantly contributing to LBP following scoliosis surgery.
Takayama
Kazushi
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Nakamura
Hiroaki
H
Matsuda
Hideki
H
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult