A new study published in Spinal Deformity examined why patients seek spine surgeons.
The researchers examined the charts and radiographs for 351 consecutive patients and followed where they were seen at the spine clinic, chief diagnosis, age and prior history of scoliosis. The researchers found:
1. There were only 160 patients who reported the back/leg pain combination was their chief complaint at the initial visit; another 124 patients reported back pain only and 42 patients said leg pain only.
2. There were 10 patients who reported deformity or deformity and pain at the initial visit.
3. Only 25 percent of the study population was patients with degenerative scoliosis and spinal stenosis. Another 11 percent had scoliosis only. Most — 64 percent — reported only stenosis.
4. There were 122 patients who had a Cobb angle greater than 10 degrees, but only 10 reported deformity or deformity and pain at the initial visit.
5. The researchers concluded, “Patients seldom complained of deformity only, even among patients exhibiting a Cobb angle of greater than 30 degrees.”