Most people who get scoliosis corrective surgery are healthy teenagers. They often wonder if their surgery will lead to problems as an adult. The authors of this study try to answer that question. They looked at x-rays and surveys about 20 years after surgery.
The study looks at over 100 patients that had scoliosis surgery as teenagers. Their x-rays improved greatly after the surgery. Little change was seen 20 years later. Additionally, the spine below the area of surgery did not degrade. Signs of arthritis were rare.
The surveys given to these patients looked at their quality of life. This included overall health, pain and function. The ratings for those who had a surgery were normal. About 1 in 10 had back pain. This study shows that most patients have a good quality of life many years after surgery.
Darnis A, Grobost P, Roussouly P. Very long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes after posterior spinal fusion with pedicular screws for thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine Deform. 2021 Mar;9(2):441-449.
Summary provided by the SRS Patient Education Committee.