Clinical study
Patients’ expectations before, and their experiences after spinal surgery, regarding pain, rehabilitation and quality of life.
Prospective observational cohort study
In musculoskeletal practice, patients’ expectations have been reported as a valuable predictor for treatment outcomes in patients with acute and chronic pain. Patients with higher expectations regarding the treatment report better outcomes than those with lower expectations. Previous studies have investigated the relationship between expectations and postoperative satisfactions in patients undergoing spinal surgery, and some evidence suggest patients’ expectations also impact rehabilitation after surgery.
Patients undergoing spinal surgery usually suffer from moderate to severe pain during the perioperative and postoperative period, which is associated with developing persistent pain and compromises patients’ quality of life.
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases which, in some cases, can compromise patients’ quality of life, and the most common operations performed on the spine. A previous study has shown that persistent pain after surgery for lumbar disc herniation is negatively associated with psychological and physical well-being, and the overall quality of life is decreased.
This study aims to investigate how expectations predict patients’ pain, rehabilitation and quality of life after spinal surgery. Likewise, to explore the patients’ expectations before and their experiences after spinal surgery regarding pain, rehabilitation and quality of life.
The study will be conducted at the Department of Anesthesiology, Zealand University Hospital, Koege