Lumbar spinal fusion surgery outcomes in a cohort of injured workers in the Victorian workers' compensation system.

Background: Lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) outcomes for workers' compensation patients are worse than for the general population. The objectives were to examine the long-term work capacity, opioid prescription and mental health outcomes of injured workers who have undergone LSF surgery in Victoria, Australia, and to identify demographic and pre- and post-operative characteristics associated with these outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective study of 874 injured workers receiving elective LSF from 2008 to 2016 in the Victorian workers' compensation system.