Surgical management of adult spinal deformity: Indications, surgical outcomes, and health-related quality of life

Due to the aging population, as well as advancements in surgical and anesthetic technique, the rate of surgical intervention for adult scoliosis has increased. The consequences of spinal deformity regarding pain, disability, health-related quality of life, and mental health, as well as the risks and complications of surgical management can be substantial and wide reaching. Significant attention has been directed in describing which patients benefit from operative treatment and validating methods in assessing the postoperative outcomes (pain, function, self-image, mental health, and general health). In this context, the purpose of this article is to discuss the indications, outcomes, and the quality-of-life changes following surgical intervention for adult degenerative scoliosis.