Impact of Muscle Degeneration in Chronic Ow Back Pain in Patients Undergoing Neural Decompression
Surgical interventions for the removal of intervertebral disc fragments or to enlarge a narrow spine canal are commonly performed worldwide and are considered efficient. Concomitant low back pain is not uncommon among patients with lumbar nerve compression and neurological symptoms. When present, controversy persists in the literature regarding its ideal management. Although neurological symptoms improve after decompressive surgery, the presence of residual chronic low back pain may worsen satisfaction scores and cause functional disability. The hypothesis of the present study is that the presence of atrophy of the paraspinal and trunk muscles predicts chronic low back pain after lumbar neural decompression. If confirmed, this finding will aid in better planning of physical rehabilitation strategies for this group of patients, as well as a clearer prediction regarding surgical treatment outcomes for patients and health professionals.
• adults 18 years of age and older;
• with symptoms of lumbosacral neural compression (radiculopathy or neurogenic lameness);
• failed conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks;
• undergoing surgery for neural decompression (discectomy and / or foraminotomy and / or hemilaminectomy);
• with complete pre and postoperative medical records in all evaluations.