Surgical Satisfaction and the Correlation Between Grading on MRI And The Preoperative Symptoms In Patients With Lumbar Central Canal Stenosis

Abstract

Background: To study the correlation between the grading and the severity of symptoms in patients with lumbar central canal stenosis (LCCS) and evaluation of surgical satisfaction.

Materials and Methods: Grading of LCCS on MRI was determined. The severity of symptoms was evaluated based on the duration of symptoms, walking distance, VAS of leg pain/numbness, the NCOS and the JOA score. We studied distribution of grades, relation between grading and severity of symptoms. We determined patient satisfaction using standardized measure.

Results: Mean age was 61.2 years. 70% were female. All of patients were grades-2 (n = 56) and 3 (n = 28). The symptoms were significantly worse in patients with grade- 3. The walking distance in the patients with grade- 3 was significantly shorter than those with grade-2. In addition, the VAS of leg numbness in patients with grade-3 was significantly higher than those with a grade-2. The JOA and the NCOS scores were significantly lower in patients with grade-3. Post-surgical satisfaction was 90.5%.

Conclusions: The findings show that the patients’ symptoms, walking activity and functionality in grade-2 are better than grade-3. Based on outcome, it seems that patients with grade-3 is satisfied than grade-2.

 Keywords: Lumbar central canal stenosis, MRI, NCOS, JOA