Introduction:

The aim of this study was to explore the association between sagittal spinopelvic alignment and persistent low back pain (PLBP) following posterior decompression and instrumented fusion for mild L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

Methods:

By retrieving medical records from January 2015 to April 2020, 200 patients following PLIF for mild L5-S1 spondylolisthesis were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: PLBP group and non-PLBP group. The baseline characteristics and radiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between groups.

Results:

The PLBP group comprised 26 patients, and the non-PLBP group comprised 174 patients. No significant differences in preoperative spinopelvic parameters were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative variations of LL, SL, LSA, SD, and HOD spinopelvic parameters, regardless of group (p < 0.05). Postoperative PT and SS differed significantly between the PLBP group and non-PLBP group (p < 0.05). In the PLBP group, there were no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative PT; the same applied to SS. However, significant differences were found for the variations in preoperative and postoperative PT and SS between the two groups. The ΔPT was found as an independent risk factor for postoperative PLBP.

Conclusion:

Patients with mild L5-S1 spondylolisthesis with PLBP after posterior lumbar spinal fusion had decreased SS and increased PT.