Return to work after adult spinal deformity surgery.

Journal Article (Multicenter Study;Journal Article)

PURPOSE: To determine the proportions of patients returning to work at various points after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery and the associations between surgical invasiveness and time to return to work. METHODS: Using a multicenter database of patients treated surgically for ASD from 2008 to 2015, we identified 188 patients (mean age 51 ± 15 years) who self-reported as employed preoperatively and had 2-year follow-up. Per the ASD-Surgical and Radiographical Invasiveness Index (ASD-SR), 118 patients (63%) underwent high-invasiveness (HI) surgery (ASD-SR ≥ 100) and 70 (37%) had low-invasiveness (LI) surgery (ASD-SR < 100). Patients who self-reported ≥ 75% normal level of work/school activity were considered to be working full time. Chi-squared and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables (α = .05). RESULTS: Preoperatively, 69% of employed patients worked full time. Postoperatively, 15% of employed patients were full time at 6 weeks, 70% at 6 months, 83% at 1 year, and 84% at 2 years. Percentage of employed patients working full time at 2 years was greater than preoperatively (p < .001); percentage of patients returning to full time at 6 weeks was lower in the HI (5%) than in the LI group (19%) (p = .03), a difference not significant at later points. CONCLUSIONS: Most adults returned to full-time work after ASD surgery. A smaller percentage of patients in the HI group than in the LI group returned to full-time work at 6 weeks. Patients employed full time preoperatively will likely return to full-time employment after ASD surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Neuman, BJ; Wang, KY; Harris, AB; Raad, M; Hostin, RA; Protopsaltis, TS; Ames, CP; Passias, PG; Gupta, MC; Klineberg, EO; Hart, R; Bess, S; Kebaish, KM; International Spine Study Group,

Published Date

  • January 2023

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 11 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 197 - 204

PubMed ID

  • 36219391

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2212-1358

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s43390-022-00552-2

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England