The preoperative predictors for subsequent degeneration in L5-S1 disc after long fusion arthrodesis terminating at L5 in patients with adult scoliosis: focus on spinopelvic parameters

The subsequent L5-S1 disc degeneration associated with long fusion arthrodesis terminating at L5 in patients with adult scoliosis has been a common concern. However, few studies paid attention to its preoperative predictors, especially in spinopelvic parameters. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the preoperative predictors of subsequent L5-S1 disc degeneration after long fusion arthrodesis terminating at L5 in patients with adult scoliosis on spinopelvic parameters. In this retrospective study, we enrolled 67 patients with adult scoliosis, and the patients were divided into disc degeneration group (DD) and no disc degeneration group (NDD), based on the presence or absence of subsequent L5-S1 disc degeneration. The status of L5-S1 disc was evaluated by a modified version of radiographic classification. Characteristics and spinopelvic parameters of preoperative patients were collected as potential predictors for subsequent lumbosacral disc degeneration after long fusion arthrodesis terminating at L5 in patients with adult scoliosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to identify the preoperative predictors, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Thirty-six patients (53.73%) with subsequent L5-S1 disc degeneration were divided into group DD (preoperative score 0.81 ± 0.57, last follow-up score 1.83 ± 0.60, P 5.65 cm were preoperative predictors for the subsequent L5-S1 disc degeneration. More attention should be paid to pr