Objective measurement of function following lumbar spinal stenosis decompression reveals improved functional capacity with stagnant real-life physical activity

This is the first study, of which we are aware, to objectively evaluate changes in postsurgical performance (real-life physical activity) in people with LSS. We found that at 6 months after surgery for LSS, participants demonstrated significant improvements in self-reported function and objectively measured physical capacity, but not physical performance as measured by continuous activity monitoring. This lack of improvement in performance, despite improvements in self-reported function and objective capacity, suggests a role for postoperative rehabilitation focused specifically on increasing performance after surgery in the LSS population.