Surgery for low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis yields substantial benefits, extending beyond pain control to improvements in sleep quality, functional capacity, and overall quality of life.
Visual Analog Scale pain scores decreased significantly following posterior decompression and instrumented fusion surgery for low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores decreased markedly after surgery, indicating improved sleep quality in patients with low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Oswestry Disability Index scores decreased significantly after surgery, reflecting improved functional capacity.
EuroQol-5 Dimensions-3 Levels scores increased significantly after surgery, reflecting enhanced overall quality of life.
Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent postoperative benefits across spondylolisthesis types and grades, with male patients exhibiting greater improvements in quality-of-life measures.
All evaluated outcome parameters showed significant postoperative improvements at 90 days following surgery for low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.
This research suggests that surgery for a spine condition called low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis — where one vertebra slips forward over another — provides meaningful benefits that go well beyond simply reducing pain. In a study of 55 patients who underwent a specific spinal surgery (posterior decompression and instrumented fusion), researchers measured pain levels, sleep quality, physical function, and overall quality of life before the operation and again 90 days afterward. All four measures improved significantly after surgery, suggesting that this type of operation can substantially improve patients' day-to-day lives within three months. Notably, the study found that sleep quality improved significantly after surgery, which is an outcome that has not been well-studied in this specific patient population before. Pain relief, better ability to perform daily activities, and improved general well-being were also documented. When the researchers looked at subgroups, the benefits were consistent regardless of the specific type or grade of spondylolisthesis, though male patients appeared to experience greater gains in quality-of-life scores than female patients. This research suggests that for patients with low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis who have not responded to non-surgical treatments, surgery may be a reliable option that addresses not just physical symptoms like pain but also broader aspects of wellbeing including sleep and psychosocial health. The findings highlight the importance of considering sleep and quality of life — not just pain — when evaluating the success of spinal surgery.
Tunç B, Uzlu O, Şahin &, Ünal E, Yılmaz A, Çağıl E. (2026). Sleep and Quality of Life Before and After Surgery in Patients With Low-Grade Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.950921