Comparison of the Oswestry Disability Index and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Lumbar Canal Stenosis: An Observational Study

Abstract

Study DesignCross-sectional study.PurposeThe aim of the study was to determine relationship between the degrees of radiologically demonstrated anatomical lumbar canal stenosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its correlation with the patient's disability level, using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).Overview of LiteratureThe relationship between the imaging studies and clinical symptoms has been uncertain in patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis. There is a limited number of studies which correlates the degree of stenosis with simple reproducible scoring methods.MethodsFifty patients were selected from 350 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The patients answered the national-language translated form of ODI. The ratio of disability was interpreted, and the patients were grouped accordingly. They were subjected to MRI; and the anteroposterior diameters of the lumbar intervertebral disc spaces and the thecal sac cross sectional area were measured. Comparison was performed between the subdivisions of the degree of lumbar canal stenosis, based on the following: anteroposterior diameter (three groups: normal, relative stenosis and absolute stenosis); subdivisions of the degree of central canal stenosis, based on the thecal sac cross-sectional area, measured on axial views (three groups: normal, moderately stenotic and severely stenotic); and the ODI outcome, which was also presented in 20 percentiles.ResultsNo significant correlation was established between the radiologically depicted anatomical lumbar stenosis and the Oswestry Disability scores.ConclusionsMagnetic resonance imaging alone should not be considered in isolation when assessing and treating patients diagnosed with lumbar canal stenosis.

Predictability of the effects of facet joint infiltration in the degenerate lumbar spine when assessing MRI scans

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A comparison of neurogenic claudication outcome score and oswestry disability index in degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis post decompression, posterior stabilization and fusion

“…The result also showed that NCOS is more responsive than ODI in measuring functional outcome. A study conducted by Goni et al reported that ODI questionnaire was easily comprehended and had a response rate of 91% in patient with low back pain but not predictive for the underlying patho-morphology [12] . Another study by Azimi et al on the use of NCOS for lumbar canal stenosis patients with neurogenic claudication showed that NCOS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring functionality with coefficient 0.77 and 0.91 at pre-and post-operation [9] .…”

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