UCSF

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.