Is It Possible to Return to Skiing Following Long-construct Spinal Deformity Surgery?

Background: Alpine skiing requires flexibility, endurance, strength and rotational ability, which may be lost after long fusions to the pelvis for adult spinal deformity (ASD). ASD patients may worry about their ability to return to skiing (RTS) postoperatively. There is currently insufficient data for spine surgeons to adequately address questions about when, or if, their patients might RTS.

Methods: Patients with a history of spinal fusion to pelvis from T10 or higher were screened for skiing participation during the November 2023-April 2024 season. Adolescent and adult patients ≥12 years old with >2-year minimum follow-up who were recreational skiers (skied ≥5 times in their life and ≥1 time in the 5 years prior to their surgery) provided the following metrics: visual analogue scale (VAS) pain level, self-perceived ski ability, highest slope difficulty comfort level, ski runs completed per day, days skied per year, pain while skiing, participation in pre- or postoperative physical therapy (PT), and satisfaction. Predictive factors for ability to RTS were evaluated. Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were collected at baseline, one year postoperatively, and final follow-up (FFU). Twenty six skiers from 2015-2023 were included (age 56.5 ± 15.2 years, BMI 23.8 ± 4.2 kg/m, female composition 85.6%, follow-up 5.3 ± 1.8 years). 42.3% (n = 11) patients returned to ski at an average of 2.6 ± 1.6 years. Patients who returned to ski maintained or improved their performance in the following metrics: 72.7% (n = 8) in self-assessed ski ability, 72.7% (n = 8) in slope difficulty comfort level, 63.6% (n = 7) in number of ski runs per day, 81.8% (n = 9) in number of days skied per year, and 81.8% (n = 9) in pain while skiing. Pain scores improved from baseline to FFU: VAS (7.1 ± 1.9 vs 1.8 ± 1.9; p < 0.01), SRS (71.8 ± 8.6 vs 89.9 ± 14.5; p < 0.01), ODI (30.8 ± 13.1 vs 13.4 ± 14.1; p < 0.01). Age, sex, BMI, surgical history, self-assessed ski ability, baseline pain scores and PT participation were not predictive of ability to RTS.

Conclusion: This was the first in-depth analysis of RTS after corrective spine surgery. Almost half of the skiers returned to skiing after long-construct fusion to pelvis, and the majority reported similar or improved performance based on their slope ratings, runs skied per day, days skied per year, pain while skiing, and overall self-assessment. Mean pain and quality of life scores improved significantly for the whole group. ASD patients who RTS can reasonably expect equal or improved performance following spine surgery compared to their presurgical ability.