Comparison of Pain Intensity, Fear of Movement, and Disability Before and After Lumbar Spine Surgery

Abstract

Background: Lumbar spine surgery (LSS) is performed to manage patients with lumbar discs. These patients commonly experience pain, fear, and disability after LSS surgery. Objectives: Considering the importance of LSS surgery and its outcomes in these patients, the purpose of the present study was to compare pain intensity, fear of movement, and disability before and after LSS. Methods: In this descriptive and analytical research, the population under study included all patients undergoing LSS at the Imam Khomeini Hospital of Ilam City from October 2015 to October 2016. Demographic and clinical information questionnaires, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK), and Physical Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) were data collection tools, which were completed for the patients referring to our center and undergoing LSS according to diagnostic findings and clinical documents. The patient’s condition was evaluated using the aforementioned questionnaires six months to one year after the study. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean (SD) score of PCS before surgery was equal to 51.17 (7.53) in men and 63.84 (4.72) in women (P = 0.004). Nine weeks after the surgery, the PCS score was 19.36 (4.94) in men and 23.31 (6.68) in women (P = 0.04). There were significant decreases in all variables, including the PCS score, Brief Pain Inventory score, and PDQ score after the intervention compared to pre-intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Considering that LSS can effectively reduce patients’ pain intensity, disability, and fear of movement, this intervention is recommended for patients who need surgery according to relevant diagnostic criteria and clinical examination findings.