Comparison of low back pain incidence following general and spinal anesthesia in lower limb orthopedic surgery

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common complications after lower limb orthopedic surgery, which leads to many significant limitations and problems for patients and society. The aim of the present study was to investigate LBP incidence rate following general anesthesia (GA) and spinal anesthesia (SA) in lower limb orthopedic surgery. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, all patients who were candidates for elective orthopedic surgery referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol, entered the study with informed consent. Patients were divided into two groups and LBP incidence rate following spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia was evaluated. Results: Out of ۱۱۰ patients, ۴۶ (۴۱.۸%) complained of LBP as a postoperative complication and ۶۴ cases (۵۸.۲%) did not report it. The mean pain decreased over time in patients with LBP. Results also showed that LBP intensity was higher in spinal anesthesia group one day and one week after surgery. One month after surgery, the general anesthesia group did not report LBP, but the spinal anesthesia group still complained of LBP. There was no significant relationship between sex, age, BMI, duration of surgery, type of surgery and cause of fracture with LBP incidence. Conclusion: According to the present study, the mean LBP intensity in the general anesthesia group is significantly less than spinal anesthesia group one day, one week and one month after surgery. patients should receive necessary explanations about the complications of both types of anesthesia preoperatively so that they consciously choose the method of anesthesia. Conclusion: According to the present study, the mean LBP intensity in the general anesthesia group is significantly less than spinal anesthesia group one day, one week and one month after surgery. patients should receive necessary explanations about the complications of both types of anesthesia preoperatively so that they consciously choose the method of anesthesia.

Keywords:

Low back pain , Spinal anesthesia , General anesthesia , complications.