Influence of Hand Grip Strength on Surgical Outcomes After Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE

This study was done to examine the influence of hand grip strength (HGS) on surgical outcomes of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

No study has investigated the relation between hand grip strength and treatment outcome of adult spinal deformity correction surgery.

METHODS

A total of 78 consecutive patients who underwent adult spinal deformity correction surgery were included in this study. Patients were assigned to either the high HGS (≥ 26 kg for men and ≥ 18 kg for women, n = 26) or the low HGS (< 26 kg for men and < 18 kg for women, n = 52) based on their preoperative measurements. The Oswestry disability index (ODI), EQ-5D, and visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain were assessed preoperatively, and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was ODI scores 12 months after surgery. The secondary outcome measures included the overall ODI scores, EQ-5D, and VAS for back pain, assessed at each time point during the 12-months follow-up.

RESULTS

The ODI score at 12 months after surgery was significantly lower in the high HGS group than the low HGS group (P < 0.001), which was best predicted by a multivariate regression model including age, gender, BMI, HGS, and preoperative ODI scores. The overall ODI score, EQ-5D, and VAS for back pain had better outcomes in the high HGS group across each follow-up assessment (P < 0.001 for all follow-ups), while they improved significantly with time after surgery in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with higher preoperative HGS displayed better surgical outcomes, in terms of disability and health-related quality of life at 12 months after reconstructive spinal surgery for ASD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE