Outcomes from surgery
There are a variety of ways to measure outcome. One method is assess the change in pain and/or function following surgery. Since 2021 I have been collecting pain and functional scores before and after surgery on my patients. Below are the outcomes following common spinal procedures. Although no method is perfect, this can provide some guide as to the potential benefit of surgery.
Realising improvement can take longer following fusion and so the numbers below for ACDF and Lumbar Fusion are at the 6-month mark while numbers for Lumbar Discectomy and Lumbar Decompression are at the 6-week mark.
Lumbar Discectomy
Below are the average improvements reported by 6 weeks following lumbar discectomy, usually indicated for a disc herniation causing nerve root compression and severe leg pain.
Back pain - 74.2% less
Leg pain - 82.4% less
Spinal function - 48.7% better
Lumbar Decompression
Below are the average improvements reported at 6 weeks following lumbar decompression, a procedure normally perfumed for spinal stenosis.
Back pain - 62.4% less
Leg pain - 59.1% less
Spinal function - 47.1% better
ACDF
Below are the average improvements reported at 6 months following ACDF, a common procedure for cervical disc herniation causing nerve root compression and arm pain.
Neck pain - 73.6% less
Arm pain - 80% less
Neck function - 65.1% better
Lumbar Fusion
Below are the average improvements reported at 6 months following surgery for lumbar interbody fusion -this includes PLIF and TLIF surgery
Back pain - 63.9% less
Leg pain - 47.6% less
Spinal function - 39.9% better
For appointments...
Phone: 07 834 9159
Email: info@midlandos.nz
Midland Orthopaedics and Spine
20 Hammond Street,
Hamilton,
New Zealand