Emotional Health Predicts Pain and Function After Fusion: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Abstract

Presurgical emotional status is one significant predictor of pain and function outcomes up to 2 years after fusion. Other significant predictors included workers' compensation status, smoking status, and presurgical pain/function. Studies to identify and intervenewith patients with poorer emotional status will clarify whether presurgical mental health intervention can improve pain and function outcomes after surgery or whether these patients are not candidates for surgery.