A new study published in Spine examines the health-related quality of life for adult spinal deformity patients who undergo surgical correction.
The study examined 170 patients with adult spinal deformity who underwent surgical correction. The researchers found:
1. The patients reported improvement in the short form-36 and SRS-22 subclasses regardless of the lowest instrumented vertebra and preoperative pathology two years after surgery.
2. The patients did not report improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index, personal care or lifting abilities, which correlated to the sagittal modifiers of SRS-Schwab classification, one year after surgery.
3. Personal care disadvantages were dependent on the lowest instrumented vertebra as well as the preoperative pathology.
4. Patients did report improvement in personal care two years after surgery but there weren't noticeable improvements in lifting.
5. The study authors concluded, "Fusion to the sacrum or ilium greatly restricted the ability to stretch or bend, leading to limited daily activities for at least one year postoperatively, although this effect may subside after another year." They recommended spine surgeons note how surgical treatment impacts the HRQOL domain and counsel patients accordingly.