Response to Preoperative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study. Objective. The decision to pursue operative intervention for patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis is complex. Although steroid injections are a well-accepted therapeutic modality that may delay or obviate surgery, little is known regarding their ability to predict surgical outcomes. Summary of Background Data. Here, we examine whether improvement after preoperative steroid injections can accurately predict clinical outcomes after surgery. Methods. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on adult patients undergoing primary posterolateral lumbar fusion for isthmic spondylolisthesis between 2013 and 2021. Data were stratified into a control (no preoperative injection) group and an injection group (received a preoperative diagnostic and therapeutic injection). We collected demographic data, peri-injection visual analog pain scores (VAS) pain scores, PROMIS pain interference and physical function scores, Oswestry Disability Index, and VAS pain (back and leg). Student t test was utilized to compare baseline group characteristics. Linear regression was performed comparing changes in peri-injection VAS pain scores and postoperative measures. Results. Seventy-three patients did not receive a preoperative injection and were included in the control group. Fifty-nine patients were included in the injection group. Of patients who received an injection, 73% had >50% relief of their preinjection VAS pain score. Linear regression revealed a positive interaction between the injection efficacy and postoperative pain relief as measured by VAS leg scores ( P <0.05). There was also an association between injection efficacy and back pain relief, though this did not achieve statistical significance ( P =0.068). No association was found between injection efficacy and improvement in Oswestry Disability Index or PROMIS measures. Conclusions. Steroid injections are often utilized in the nonoperative therapeutic management of patients with lumbar spine disease. Here, we demonstrate the diagnostic value of steroid injections in predicting postoperative leg pain relief in patients undergoing posterolateral fusion for isthmic spondylolisthesis.