Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Review of the SPORT Literature

Clin Spine Surg. 2019 Aug;32(7):272-278. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000841.

Abstract

The Spine Patient-Reported Outcomes Related Trial (SPORT) is arguably one of the most impactful and insightful studies conducted in spine surgery. Designed as a prospective, multicenter study with randomized and observational cohorts, SPORT has provided vast data on the pathogenesis, treatment effects, clinical outcomes, cost effectiveness of disk herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis. With regards to spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis, SPORT has demonstrated a sustained benefit from surgical intervention at 2, 4, and 8 years postoperatively. Myriad subgroup analyses have subsequently been performed that have also resulted in clinically relevant findings. These analyses have assessed incidence and risk factors for reoperations and intraoperative complications, impact of patient comorbidities and host factors, influence of epidural injections, patient decision-making, and role of nonoperative therapy. This has resulted in significant findings that may allow spine surgeons to optimize patient outcomes while managing expectations appropriately.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / complications*
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / diagnostic imaging
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Reoperation
  • Spinal Stenosis / complications*
  • Spinal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylolisthesis / complications*
  • Spondylolisthesis / diagnostic imaging

Supplementary concepts

  • Intervertebral disc disease