The extensiveness of spondylodesis and evaluation of spine function with Quebeck Back Pain Disability Scale

Introduction: The aim of our study has been to evaluate the intensity of pain in the lumbar spine and its effects on daily activities in patients receiving surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis in relation to the extensiveness of spondylodesis. We have assumed that more extensive spondylodesis may more significantly impair daily activity of patients. Materials and methods: The questionnaire was administered to 60 female patients who received surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis in Paediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic in Poznań University of Medical Sciences. Scoliosis correction by Cotrel–Dubousset method was combined with rib hump resection. Mean age of patients was 15.5 years at the time of the surgery and mean follow-up time equalled 2.5 years. Mean pre-operative value of Cobb’s angle in thoracic spine equalled 55.4, SD 9, whereas the compensatory scoliosis in the lumbar segment equalled 29.6, SD 8. The patients were divided into two subgroups: A – where the spondylodesis spanned 9 vertebrae or less (n=23) and B – where spondylodesis spanned 10 vertebrae or more (n= 37). Quebeck Back Pain Disability Scale was used in our study. Results: Mean result from Quebeck Back Pain Disability Scale in the whole group equalled 11,1/ 100 maximum score. 3,3 % of subjects did not report any complaints. In subgroups A and B the score was 9.3 and 12.2 and there was no significant statistical difference between the groups (p=0.315). Conclusions: Our study has shown that lumbar spine pain in patients with idiopathic scoliosis occurs only rarely in this short period of post-operative follow up and do not adversely affect daily activities. The extensiveness of spondylodesis does not affect spine function.