Background
Under the supervision of Medical City – Dallas Institutional Review Board, Dr. Feigenbaum is gathering and analyzing surgical outcomes for over 2000 patients. Patients complete 4 standardized questionnaires: Visual Analog Scale, SF-36, Owsestry LBP Questionnaire and Feigenbaum Tarlov Cyst post-operative survey.
In Summary
Mean scores on all 8 scales of the SF-36 showed a trend toward improvement following surgery. There was statistically significant improvement in the physical functioning and a decreased level of pain experienced after surgery. The mean scores for Social Functioning demonstrated sustained improvement in this analysis.
The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire indicated that patients were improved at 3 months, with maximum improvement attained at 6 months, which was sustained through the 24-month observation period.
The Visual Analog Scale: In Summary
Following surgery, patients reported significantly less pain and fewer sites of pain. Patients were able to sit comfortably for longer periods of time and pain interfered less with daily activities following surgery. The use of prescription narcotic medications was significantly decreased following surgery.
Feigenbaum Tarlov Cyst Patient Post-Operative Survey:
Lower Extremity Pain
117 of 128 patients reported lower extremity pain pre-operatively.
At 12 months post surgery 68% of patients had improvement in lower extremity pain.
Sacral Pain
114 of 128 patients reported sacral pain preoperatively.
At 12 months post surgery 70% of patients had improvement in sacral pain.
Lower Extremity Numbness
112 of 128 patients reported leg numbness preoperatively.
At 12 months post surgery 68% of patients had improvement.
Feigenbaum Tarlov Cyst Patient Post-Operative Survey: Conclusions
Leg pain (91.4%), sacral pain (89%), and leg numbness (87.5%) were the three most commonly reported preoperative symptoms. There was improvement in all areas 3 months following surgery.
Conclusions
The responses from four unique self-assessments of pain, quality of life, and functionality indicated a trend toward improvement in all areas following surgery.