Why Didn’t You Walk Yesterday? Factors Associated With Slow Early Recovery After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Study Design: This is a retrospective case-control study. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify (1) risk factors for delayed ambulation following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery and (2) complications associated with delayed ambulation. Methods: One-hundred and ninety-one patients with ASD who underwent posterior-only fusion (≥5 levels, LIV pelvis) were reviewed. Patients who ambulated with physical therapy (PT) on POD2 or later (LateAmb, n = 49) were propensity matched 1:1 to patients who ambulated on POD0-1 (NmlAmb, n = 49) based on the extent of fusion and surgical invasiveness score (ASD-S). Risk factors, as well as inpatient medical complications were compared. Logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors for late ambulation. Results: Of the patients who did not ambulate on POD0-1, 32% declined participation secondary to pain or dizziness/fatigue, while 68% were restricted from participation by PT/nursing due to fatigue, inability to follow commands, nausea/dizziness, pain, or hypotension. Logistic regression showed that intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) >2L (OR = 5.57 [1.51-20.55], P =.010) was independently associated with an increased risk of delayed ambulation, with a 1.25 times higher risk for every 250 mL increase in EBL (P =.014). Modified 5-Item Frailty Index (mFI-5) was also independently associated with delayed ambulation (OR = 2.53 [1.14-5.63], P =.023). LateAmb demonstrated a higher hospital LOS (8.4 ± 4.0 vs 6.2 ± 2.6, P <.001). The LateAmb group trended toward an increase in medical complications on POD3+ (14.3% vs 26.5%, P =.210). Conclusions: EBL demonstrates a dose-response relationship with risk for delayed ambulation. Delayed ambulation increases LOS and may impact medical complications.