Brace yourself: routine postoperative bracing after adult spinal deformity surgery offers no clinical benefit and may increase harm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) can result in debilitating symptoms and often necessitates surgical intervention. Postoperative complications-including thromboembolic events, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), pseudoarthrosis, and rod fracture-are common and can severely impact outcomes. While spinal bracing is commonly employed postoperatively, its' clinical value remains unproven. The aim of this study was to compare complication rates, pain levels, and outcomes between patients who received thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) bracing and those who did not following ASD surgery.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive ASD surgeries at our tertiary care center between 2016 and 2023. ASD surgery was defined as multilevel fusion involving at least 5

SUBMITTER: Schimmel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12775617 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature