At Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS), spine care is guided by data, experience, and patient-centered outcomes. Through ongoing outcomes tracking, we measure pain relief, functional improvement, and quality of life before and after treatment, so patients can see real, measurable progress.
Across both neck and back conditions, SOS patients experience improvements that meet or exceed nationally recognized benchmarks for clinically meaningful change.
Neck Outcomes
Meaningful Improvement by 3 Months
Just three months after treatment, SOS neck patients show clinically meaningful improvements in pain and daily function, meeting or exceeding established benchmarks for patient-reported improvement.
Average Neck Improvements at 3 Months
- Neck Pain: ↓ 2.5 points
Meets the benchmark for clinically meaningful improvement (MCID) - Arm Pain: ↓ 2.6 points
Exceeds the MCID, with most patients experiencing a noticeable reduction in arm pain - Neck Disability Index (NDI): ↑ 15.5 points
More than double the MCID and statistically greater than the benchmark, reflecting meaningful improvement in daily function for the majority of patients
What this means
Patients commonly experience reduced arm pain and improved ability to manage daily activities such as personal care, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation within the first few months of treatment. Improvements in overall neck-related disability are both clinically meaningful and statistically significant.
Note: The Neck Disability Index (NDI) measures how neck pain affects everyday activities, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators of real-world improvement.
Back Outcomes
Significant Gains by 3 Months
At three months, SOS back patients experience significant and measurable improvements in pain relief and functional ability, consistently exceeding national benchmarks.
Average Back Improvements at 3 Months
- Back Pain: ↓ 2.8 points
More than double the MCID, with a majority of patients reporting noticeable pain relief - Leg Pain: ↓ 3.1 points
Well above the MCID, reflecting significant reduction in radiating leg pain for most patients - Oswestry Disability Index (ODI): ↑ 19.6 points
Significantly greater than the MCID, demonstrating major improvement in daily function
What this means
By three months, most patients report less pain, improved mobility, and greater confidence with everyday activities such as walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, and traveling.
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) captures how back pain interferes with daily life, making it a powerful measure of functional recovery.
SOS patients don’t just improve, they experience meaningful, measurable progress that supports an active, independent lifestyle.
All outcomes shown:
- Meet or exceed MCID (Minimal Clinically Important Difference) benchmarks
- Demonstrate clinical significance, with statistical significance where noted
- Reflect real-world improvements patients can feel in daily life
Why These Results Matter
✔ Less pain ✔Better movement ✔Improved daily function ✔ Better quality of life
This data-driven approach helps SOS patients make informed decisions and feel confident throughout their spine care journey.
Results shown represent average patient outcomes based on SOS spine outcomes data. Individual results may vary depending on diagnosis, treatment type, overall health, and other factors.