Recovery of the Japanese orthopedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire score and walking ability following lumbar spinal stenosis surgery

Hiroto Takenaka; Mitsuhiro Kamiya; Hideshi Sugiura; Kasuri Nishihama; Junya Suzuki; Shuntaro Hanamura

doi:10.1007/s00586-024-08238-1

Recovery of the Japanese orthopedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire score and walking ability following lumbar spinal stenosis surgery

Eur Spine J. 2024 Apr 7. doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08238-1. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Hiroto Takenaka^{1

2

3}, Mitsuhiro Kamiya⁴, Hideshi Sugiura⁵, Kasuri Nishihama⁶, Junya Suzuki⁶, Shuntaro Hanamura⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation, Kasugai Orthopedics Asahi Hospital, 2090 Higashino-Cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 486-0819, Japan. htakenaka@hm.tokoha-u.ac.jp.
² Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 461-8673, Japan. htakenaka@hm.tokoha-u.ac.jp.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Tokoha University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2102, Japan. htakenaka@hm.tokoha-u.ac.jp.
⁴ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kasugai Orthopedics Asahi Hospital, 2090 Higashino-Cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 486-0819, Japan.
⁵ Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 461-8673, Japan.
⁶ Department of Rehabilitation, Kasugai Orthopedics Asahi Hospital, 2090 Higashino-Cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 486-0819, Japan.

PMID: 38584242
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-024-08238-1

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the recovery of the Japanese orthopedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire (JOABPEQ) scores and 6 min walk distance (6MWD) in patients after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and identified the items among 25 questions of JOABPEQ that showed recovery.

Methods: A total of 227 patients (average age 71.5 years; SD: 7.5; 121 men) were included from a single center. The outcome measures were JOABPEQ, visual analog scale (VAS), and 6MWD and obtained preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mixed-model repeated measures were used to compare the variables at each time point between the surgery groups.

Results: The JOABPEQ, VAS, and 6MWD scores generally improved at 1 month postoperatively compared with those obtained preoperatively, and some parameters further improved at 3 months. However, improvement in the lumbar spine dysfunction item of JOABPEQ was delayed, showing improvement at 3 months postoperatively for decompression surgery (average score: pre, 64.6; 3 months, 78.5) and 6 months postoperatively for fusion surgery (average score: Pre, 64.3; 6 months, 77.1). Responses to the individual JOABPEQ questions generally improved after surgery. No significant changes in lumbar spine dysfunction occurred in the fusion group.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated the early postoperative recovery course of JOABPEQ and 6MWD. In the fusion group, significant changes in lumbar spine dysfunction started at 6 months postoperatively. These findings could help medical staff explain postoperative recovery to patients after lumbar spinal stenosis surgery and in their decision making regarding surgery.

Keywords: Japanese orthopedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire (JOABPEQ); Lumbar spinal stenosis; Recovery; Surgery; Walking ability.