Patients with high pain sensitivity may report worse outcomes after lumbar spine surgery, according to a study published in Spine.
The researchers examined 171 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. The patients were followed for 12 months after surgery. Here are five key findings:
1. The Oswestry Disability Index score one year after surgery was significantly lower in patients who had scored low in the pain sensitivity questionnaire.
2. The average ODI scores in the low PSQ group was 21.1 and the average ODI score in the high PSQ group was 29.6 one year after surgery.
3. There was significant difference between the two groups in the secondary endpoints, including the visual analogue scale for back and leg pain and ODI during the one year period after surgery.
4. Change patterns of the ODI and VAS scores for back and leg pain in the follow-up assessments one year after surgery were not significantly different.
5. The researchers concluded, "Patients with high pain sensitivity may display less improvement in back pain, leg pain and disability after surgery for LSS compared with patients with low pain sensitivity. Furthermore, the PSQ can be used to predict surgical outcomes after spine surgery for LSS."