Trends in the distribution of skeletal compensation based on severity and correction in adult spinal deformity...

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery patients maintain upright posture by using numerous compensatory mechanisms. The distribution of this compensation throughout the skeleton has not been fully investigated.

Patients with lumbar deformity curves undergoing fusion from T10 to the pelvis were included. Groups were stratified by Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-Schwab sagittal deformity severity (mild, moderate, and severe). Compensation was determined based on the published values of asymptomatic individuals by Bao et al. (2018), with patients outside 1 standard deviation of the mean values deemed to be compensating. Adequate deformity correction was determined based on matching published sagittal age-adjusted score (SAAS) criteria. Means comparisons tests assessed differences between cohorts at each time point.

In total, 379 ASD patients were included (mean age 66.7 ± 10.2 years, body mass index 28.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2, Charlson Comorbidity Index 1.20 ± 1.73). In total, 23.8% of patients had mild deformity, 19.2% moderate, and 57% severe. The severe deformity cohort generally demonstrated the highest rates of compensation across all regions at different time points. At baseline, the severe and moderate cohorts demonstrated predominantly lower limb-dominant compensation, with the highest frequencies of compensation seen at the knee and pelvis. In the mild cohort, knee compensation was relieved by 1 year when adequate correction was achieved. For the moderate cohort, hip and pelvic compensation were relieved first, with knee compensatory relief occurring by 2 years. For the severe cohort, pelvic compensation was relieved first, with global lower limb and thoracic compensation subsequently occurring.

There is notable variation in how ASD patients compensate as the severity of their deformity progresses. There is also variation in how these patterns are altered postoperatively.