Exercise Tolerance Test as a Predictor of Functional Status and Surgical Outcomes in Symptomatic Spinal Stenosis Patients Undergoing Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy

Aim: The aim of our study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of total laminectomy, a less invasive technique compared to fusion procedures. Additionally, we aim to evaluate preoperative and postoperative functional mobility using the treadmill exercise test. Material and Method: This clinical study includes 16 patients who underwent their first surgery for pure spinal stenosis at the Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic III. All patients underwent an exercise tolerance test using a treadmill device preoperatively and at the third postoperative month. Prior to these tests, electrocardiography and chest radiography were performed. Results: Preoperative exercise tolerance test results indicated that initial symptoms appeared at an average of 1.42 minutes, while severe symptoms preventing test continuation emerged at an average of 6.09 minutes. At the 3-month postoperative follow-up, the exercise tolerance test results demonstrated significant improvement. The average time to the onset of initial symptoms increased to 5.39 minutes, and the onset of severe symptoms was delayed to 11.08 minutes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that fusionless decompression techniques remain an effective treatment option. Additionally, preoperative and postoperative treadmill exercise tests can be utilized to assess disease status and severity. Moreover, these tests serve as an objective tool for evaluating the effectiveness of surgical treatment.