Total hip arthroplasty outcomes correlate with spine disability

Functional deficits persist in a significant percentage of total hip arthroplasties (THA), leading to patient dissatisfaction. Spinal stenosis is a leading cause of chronic disability and lower extremity weakness. Although previous studies have evaluated the potential benefit of THA on back pain, none have reported the effects of spine disability on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction with THA. A total of 244 primary THAs (233 patients) with minimum 2-year follow-up rated their satisfaction, return to activity, and standard hip outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). History of lumbar spine pain, lumbar surgery, and daily activity limitations was documented and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was calculated. Out of 244, 151 (62%) patients reported a history of back problems: 35 patients (14%)-history of lumbar surgery, 91 (37%)-daily low back pain, and 97 (40%)-back pain that limited activity. Patients with a history of back problems had lower OHS scores than those without back pain, p = 0.0001. Patients with daily low back pain or low back pain that limited activity had lower OHS scores, p < 0.0001. Increasing spine disability, as determined by ODI, correlated with poor OHS, p < 0.0001. Spine disability (ODI) was directly associated with patient dissatisfaction for pain relief (R = 0.41, p < 0.0001), return to activity (R = 0.34, p < 0.0001), and overall surgical results (ODI, R = 0.38, p < 0.0001) at 2 years after THA. ODI correlated strongly with poor THA outcomes. In conclusion, lumbar spine disability correlated directly with poor Oxford Hip Scores. Spine disability was directly associated with THA patient dissatisfaction with pain relief, return to activity, and overall outcome of surgery. This study demonstrates that poor functional results in THA patients correlate directly with spine disability.