Preoperative erector spinae muscle quality is more important than leg muscle quality for postoperative walking recovery in lumbar spinal stenosis: a retrospective study in Japanese patients

Key Points

• To determine the impact of preoperative muscle quality on postoperative walking recovery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Retrospective study design
• Analysis focused on muscle quality and walking distance
• Evaluation of preoperative factors including age and muscle ratios
• Younger age associated with better postoperative outcomes
• Shorter six-minute walk distance indicated higher likelihood of recovery
• Lower erector spinae muscle quality ratio correlated with poorer walking improvement