RecruitingNCT04273828

Impact of Muscle Degeneration in Chronic Low Back Pain

Impact of Muscle Degeneration in Chronic Ow Back Pain in Patients Undergoing Neural Decompression

Sponsor

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Enrollment

168 participants

Start Date

Apr 6, 2020

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Back Pain Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Lumbar Disc Herniation radiculopathy

Summary

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.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is examining how muscle degeneration (wasting and fatty replacement of back muscles) in the lumbar spine affects recovery outcomes after surgery for nerve compression in the lower back. Conditions like herniated discs and spinal stenosis can compress nerves in the lower spine, causing pain, weakness, and numbness radiating down the legs (radiculopathy). Surgery to decompress the nerves (such as discectomy or laminectomy) often improves these symptoms, but outcomes vary widely from patient to patient. This research investigates whether the degree of back muscle degeneration visible on MRI before surgery predicts how well patients recover afterward. The study enrolls adults 18 and older who have failed conservative treatment and are going ahead with decompression surgery. It focuses specifically on surgeries that decompress the nerves without fusing the spine. You may be eligible if: - You are 18 years of age or older - You have symptoms of lumbosacral nerve compression (radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication) - You have tried conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks without sufficient improvement - You are scheduled for nerve decompression surgery (discectomy, foraminotomy, or hemilaminectomy) You may NOT be eligible if: - You need lumbar spinal fusion (arthrodesis) as part of your surgery - You have a deep spinal infection requiring surgical washout - You are having facet joint denervation (rhizotomy) - You have an active rheumatologic disease (including seronegative arthropathy) Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

PROCEDURELumbar decompressive surgery

Patients with lumbar degenerative diseases and symptoms of nerve compression (radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication) who will undergo surgical treatment for neural decompression (discectomy, foraminotomy or laminectomy).