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The reunion with my patients: their journey and experience 30 years after their intervention for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis via CD instrumentation

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Abstract

Purpose

Our objective was to collect the experience and current attitude of those patients, now adults, operated on for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) more than 25 years ago with CD instrumentation (CDI).

Methods

Prospective qualitative cross-sectional study with interpretive phenomenological analysis approach of AIS patients operated in a single center with CDI between 1985 and 1995. Patients underwent a semi-structured interview with their original surgeon. Seven agreed themes were open for conversation, and several subthemes emerged related to their experience during their journey in life. Filed notes were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used the method of content, semantic and pragmatic analysis.

Results

We contacted 103 patients, 100 agreed to participate. Mean age was 47.5 ± 3.3, mean follow-up was 30.9 ± 2.7 years. Three fundamental concerns stood out: discomfort with self-image; low back pain with daily activities; and lack of spinal flexibility. 50% were engaged in continuous physical exercise, and only some referred limitations with load-bearing work. Patients commonly described negative memories of the conservative treatment, but positive memories of the surgical process. In general, there was a good adaptation to social life (occupation, social and family relationships). Two-thirds were married, and 65 women had offspring. A frequent concern was the excess of radiographs over the years, and three developed breast cancer.

Conclusions

Factors such as dissatisfaction with self-image, low back pain, and spine stiffness were relevant to patients throughout their journeys. Despite this, the great majority were satisfied with the treatment received, which allowed them to lead an integrated life in society.

Level of evidence

Level II.

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Data availability

All data is kept in our database and can be available upon request.

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Funding

This research received no external funding. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain

    Francisco Javier Sánchez Pérez-Grueso, Lucía Moreno-Manzanaro & Javier Pizones

Authors
  1. Francisco Javier Sánchez Pérez-Grueso
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  2. Lucía Moreno-Manzanaro
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  3. Javier Pizones
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Contributions

FJSP-G, LM-M, and JP: substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Javier Pizones.

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Conflict of interest

Francisco Javier Sánchez Pérez-Grueso declares that he has no conflict of interest. Lucía Moreno-Manzanaro declares that she has no conflict of interest. Javier Pizones declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Institutional review board statement

Ethical approval was obtained before patient enrollment and data collection protocols. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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All the participating patients gave prior informed consent to their inclusion in the study. Patients signed informed consent regarding publishing their data and photographs.

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Pérez-Grueso, F.J.S., Moreno-Manzanaro, L. & Pizones, J. The reunion with my patients: their journey and experience 30 years after their intervention for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis via CD instrumentation. Spine Deform 12, 671–679 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-023-00814-7

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