Study of functional outcome in low grade spondylolisthesis operated by pedicular screw instrumentation and fusion

Background: Functional outcome following instrumental spinal surgery for spondylolisthesis inphysically energetic patients is crucial. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the functionaloutcome of low-grade spondylolisthesis accompanied by low back pain with or without radiculopathy,with standard surgical procedure posterior lumbar interbody fusion with instrumentation. Method:In this study total of 40 patients were operated on for low-grade spondylolisthesis by posteriorstabilization using a pedicular screw rod system and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. All thepatients were followed up till 6 months after surgery and functional outcomes were noted. Results:Assessment of this series it was observed that, 57.5% of the patient had excellent outcome, 37.5%had a good outcome and 97.5% of the study population had satisfactory outcome (improvement inclinical results). There was a significant improvement in pain intensity, walking, lifting, standing,sleeping after surgery. The mean ODI difference between preoperative and post-operative at 6months follow up was 36.12% (16.75). In the outcome, 62.5% of the patient consisted of severedisability and 32.5% were with moderate disability (total-95%) while postoperative 87.5% were witha minimal disability and only 2.5% of the study population had worsened i.e crippled. Conclusion:The study concluded that surgery in form of decompression with instrumentation and posteriorlumbar interbody is a safe and effective method to treat spondylolisthesis.