Short-and long-term outcomes following LSS were studied extensively following LSS.
However, to our knowledge no study has investigated surgery outcomes earlier than 6 weeks
post-hospital discharge. Therefore, chapter 4 explored the changes in patients’ clinical status at 2
weeks following hospital discharge, and predictors of patient- outcomes during this short followup
period. Results revealed that patients had significant reduction in back pain intensity, leg pain intensity, and improvement in function. However, there was no significant change in the type of
analgesics used. High somatic perception predicted higher back pain, poor function, and inferior
quality of life. Longer symptom duration was associated with higher postoperative back pain
intensity, while diagnosis of spondylolisthesis and preoperative use of opioids predicted higher
postoperative leg pain intensity. Having high functional level at baseline was associated with
high functional level postoperatively. Experiencing higher back and leg pain intensity, having
depression symptoms, smoking, and receiving worker’s compensation were significant factors
associated with negative patient-perception of surgery outcomes. The study showed that multiple
variables should be considered when predicting short-term LSS outcomes.