Activity and sports resumption after long segment fusions to the pelvis for adult spinal deformity: survey results of AO Spine members

Purpose: To assess recommendations for when adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients may return to athletic activities after surgery.

Methods: A web-based survey was administered to members of AO Spine. The survey consisted of surgeon demographic information and questions asking when a patient undergoing a long thoracolumbar fusion (> 5 levels) with pelvic fixation for ASD would be allowed to resume unrestricted range of motion (ROM), non-contact sports, and contact sports postoperatively. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine predictors for time to resume each activity.

Results: One hundred twenty four members' responses were included for analysis. The majority of respondents would allow unrestricted ROM within 3 months postop (< 3 months: 81% vs > 3 months: 19%]. For when to return to non-contact sports, the most common responses were "2-3 months" (26.6%), "3-4 months" (26.6%), and "6-12 months" (18.5%). For when to return to contact sports, the majority advised > 4 months postop [> 4 months: "4-6 months" (19.2%), "6-12 months" (28.0%), " > 12 months" (28.8%) versus < 4 months: "1-2 months" (4.0%), "2-3 months" (1.6%), "3-4 months" (8.8%)]. 8.8% responded they would "never" allow resumption of contact sports.

Conclusion: There was significant variation between surgeons' recommendations for resumption of unrestricted range of motion and sports following long fusion with pelvic fixation for ASD. An evidence-based approach to activity recommendations will require information on outcomes and complications.