Outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis: an observational study using the Swedish Spine register.

PURPOSE: The outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis was studied in the Swedish Spine register.

METHODS: 209 patients (mean age 66 years) were identified; 45 had undergone decompression and/or fusion of one segment (minor group) and 164 had undergone fusion of two or more segments, with or without decompression (major group).

RESULTS: VAS back pain, VAS leg pain, ODI and EQ-5D index improved after surgery in both groups (p < 0.05), with medium to large effect sizes of surgery. Global assessment for back pain and satisfaction was significantly better in the major group than in the minor group (p < 0.05) at the 2-year follow-up. Additional spine surgery was observed in 57 out of the 209 patients during a mean period of 5.4 years.

CONCLUSION: Surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis improves quality of life with medium to large effect sizes, but carries a high risk of additional surgery.