Energy expenditure during exercise on a treadmill before and after surgical correction of spinal deformities

The oxygen consumption per kilogram of body weight was measured during walking at speeds of 3.0-6.0 km/hr on a tread-mill in twelve patients with spinal deformities, before and approximately two years after either an anterior surgical correction or a posterior surgical correction. The mean age was seventeen years. There were five male and seven female patients. There was no significant change in the pre-operative and the post-operative oxygen consumption per kilogram of body weight and respiratory rates. A significant increase was noted in the post-operative oxygen removal (VO2/VE) in both the anterior and posterior procedures groups. The post-operative improvement of pulmonary function was discussed.