Lumbar instrumented fusion compared with cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic back pain after previous surgery for disc herniation: a prospective randomized controlled study

Pain. 2006 May;122(1-2):145-55. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.027. Epub 2006 Mar 20.

Abstract

The effectiveness of lumbar fusion for chronic low back pain after surgery for disc herniation has not been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of lumbar fusion with posterior transpedicular screws and cognitive intervention and exercises. Sixty patients aged 25-60 years with low back pain lasting longer than 1 year after previous surgery for disc herniation were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups. Experienced back surgeons performed transpedicular fusion. Cognitive intervention consisted of a lecture intended to give the patient an understanding that ordinary physical activity would not harm the disc and a recommendation to use the back and bend it. This was reinforced by three daily physical exercise sessions for 3 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Outcome data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Ninety-seven percent of the patients, including seven of eight patients who had either not attended treatment (n=5) or changed groups (n=2), completed 1-year follow-up. ODI was significantly improved from 47 to 38 after fusion and from 45 to 32 after cognitive intervention and exercises. The mean difference between treatments after adjustment for gender was -7.3 (95% CI -17.3 to 2.7, p=0.15). The success rate was 50% in the fusion group and 48% in the cognitive intervention/exercise group. For patients with chronic low back pain after previous surgery for disc herniation, lumbar fusion failed to show any benefit over cognitive intervention and exercises.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Back Pain / epidemiology*
  • Back Pain / therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Comorbidity
  • Exercise Therapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / epidemiology*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Spinal Fusion / instrumentation
  • Spinal Fusion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Treatment Outcome