The researchers examined patients with continuous major insurer coverage during the year before decompression and posterolateral instrumented spinal fusion, as well as the two-and-a-half years after surgery. There were 67 patients included in the study with an average age of 59 years old.
The researchers found:
1. The average decrease in healthcare utilization costs one year after surgery was $3,267.59; the preoperative cost was $4,246. The difference wasn’t statistically significant.
2. The decrease in cost during the second year of surgery was statistically significant when compared to the one-year cost. The two year cost after surgery was $1,420.97 on average.
3. There weren’t any statistically significant correlations between the ODI score changes and costs incurred at either year one or year two after surgery.
4. There wasn’t a correlation between nonsurgical resources and clinical outcomes based on the ODI scores, raising the question about whether the nonsurgical resources were used “in a rational manner.”
5. The researchers recommended further study to determine whether ongoing postoperative treatment is necessary, or just established practice.
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