The Functional Effects of Adult Spinal Deformity and the Effectiveness of Surgery

Abstract

The prevalence of adult spinal deformity (ASD) is increasing worldwide, driven by changing patient demographics, as well as an increased capacity to diagnose and treat this condition. ASD carries the worst healthcare burden of all chronic conditions including arthritis, chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. Recent advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities have resulted in an increase in surgical intervention for this condition. To be successful, however, a comprehensive understanding of the functional deficits caused by ASD must be recognised by those clinicians managing such patients. This chapter provides an overview of the functional deficits caused by ASD and its treatment.

Alteration of the Sitting and Standing Movement in Adult Spinal Deformity

“…Patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) are known to have quality of life (HRQOL) alterations and functional limitations ( Pellisé et al, 2015 ; Christopher Kieser and Wyatt, 2019 ). While gait adaptations in ASD have been previously described in the literature ( Kawkabani et al, 2021 ), alterations in other daily life activities, such as sitting and standing, have been poorly characterized.…”

“…Adults with spinal deformity are known to present with spinal malalignment and recruit compensation mechanisms at the hips and knees to maintain balance ( Le Huec et al, 2019 ). These radiographic alterations and compensation strategies have been shown to affect the patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and limit their daily life activities ( Christopher Kieser and Wyatt, 2019 ). In fact, it is estimated that ASD have some of the most impaired HRQOL scores among all chronic diseases ( Pellisé et al, 2015 ).…”