Functional outcome analysis including preoperative and postoperative SF-36 for surgically treated adult isthmic spondylolisthesis

Prospective and retrospective outcome analysis following arthrodesis for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis in 31 patients. To examine whether or not patients having such surgery have a functional improvement in their lives. The literature is full of articles concerning adolescent spondylolisthesis, the union rate for adult spondylolisthesis, the ability to reduce deformities, and the outcome of surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis, but very scant on the postoperative functional outcome of adults with isthmic spondylolisthesis. Functional outcome was analyzed by both preoperative and postoperative SF-36 questionnaires and by four additional functional questionnaires at follow-up. Statistically significant improvement was seen in six of the eight SF-36 scales. Fifty-five percent of the patients scored in the normal range at follow-up compared with none before surgery. Significant functional improvement was seen following surgical arthrodesis of the painful segments in adults with isthmic spondylolisthesis (P = 0.001). This study further confirms that such surgery is appropriate for patients failing adequate nonoperative treatment.