The Effect of Zolpidem on Outcomes Following Lumbar Spine Fusion

This study is looking at whether a common sleep medication — zolpidem (brand name Ambien) — can improve recovery outcomes for patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery. Back surgery is painful and recovery can be disrupted by poor sleep. Zolpidem helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, which may help the body heal more effectively. Researchers want to know if giving this medication routinely after surgery leads to better outcomes, fewer complications, or faster recovery compared to patients who do not receive it. To be eligible, you must be between 18 and 75 years old, have a degenerative lumbar spine condition, and be scheduled for an open primary one-to-three level lumbar spinal fusion. People who already take a sleep aid every night, have been diagnosed with insomnia or sleep apnea, have had previous back surgery, or are having minimally invasive or trauma/infection-related surgery are not eligible. This study is important because sleep disruption after surgery is very common and may slow healing, increase pain, and prolong hospital stays. Finding an evidence-based, low-cost intervention to improve sleep — and therefore recovery — after major back surgery could benefit thousands of patients each year.