Increasing public interest in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery in the United States: higher search volumes in the Northeast region from 2015 to 2024
10.31616/asj.2025.0133
- Author:
Paul G. MASTROKOSTAS
;
Leonidas E. MASTROKOSTAS
;
Ahmed K. EMARA
;
Ian J. WELLINGTON
;
Elizabeth GINALIS
;
John K. HOUTEN
;
Amrit S. KHALSA
;
Ahmed SALEH
;
Jad Bou MONSEF
;
Afshin E. RAZI
;
Mitchell K. NG
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal
2025;19(6):949-956
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:This study analyzed US public interest in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery using Google Trends data from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2024. The relative search volume (RSV) was used to measure public interest. Temporal trends were assessed using linear regression analysis, whereas seasonal and geographic variations were evaluated using analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results:Public interest in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery showed a statistically significant upward trend from 2015 to 2024 (p<0.05), with R2 ranging from 0.0141 to 0.6748 across search terms. Monthly analysis revealed that the average search volume was highest in October (78.8%) and lowest in December (68.7%). No significant differences were observed among seasons (p=0.102). Geographically, the highest mean RSV was in the Northeast (43.3%), followed by the West (19.5%), Midwest (12.6%), South (11.1%), and Southwest (10.2%), with significant differences among these regions (p<0.001).
Conclusions:Public interest in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery has shown a consistent and statistically significant upward trend over the past decade. Although seasonal variation was not significant, notable geographic differences in search volume were observed, with the northeast showing the highest level of interest. These findings highlighted regional disparities in public engagement and may serve as a basis for future healthcare resource planning and patient education strategies.
