The International Spine Study Group works to consistently put forward high quality, meaningful research. The findings are shared via podium presentations, posters, and published manuscripts. Explore all publications from the ISSG here.

    Bess S, Boachie-Adjei O, Burton D, et al. Pain and disability determine treatment modality for older patients with adult scoliosis, while deformity guides treatment for younger patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2009;34:2186–90 Read more...

    Klineberg E, Schwab F, Ames CP, et al. Acute reciprocal changes distant from the site of spinal osteotomies affect global postoperative alignment. Adv Orthop 2011;2011:415946. Read more...

    Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Ames CP, et al. Assessment of symptomatic rod fracture after posterior instrumented fusion for adult spinal deformity. Neurosurgery 2012;71:862–7. Read more...

    Lafage V, Schwab F, Vira S, et al. Does vertebral level of pedicle subtraction osteotomy correlate with degree of spinopelvic parameter correction?: Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2011;14:184–91. Read more...

    Lafage V, Ames C, Schwab F, et al. Changes in thoracic kyphosis negatively impact sagittal alignment after lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy: A comprehensive radiographic analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);37. Epub ahead of print 2012. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318225b926. Read more...

    Smith JS, Bess S, Shaffrey CI, et al. Dynamic changes of the pelvis and spine are key to predicting postoperative sagittal alignment after pedicle subtraction osteotomy: A critical analysis of preoperative planning techniques. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2012;37:845–53. Read more...

    Ames CP, Smith JS, Scheer JK, et al. Impact of spinopelvic alignment on decision making in deformity surgery in adults: A review. J Neurosurg Spine 2012;16:547–64. Read more...

    Lafage V, Bharucha NJ, Schwab F, et al. Multicenter validation of a formula predicting postoperative spinopelvic alignment Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2012;16:15–21. Read more...

    Schwab FJ, Hawkinson N, Lafage V, et al. Risk factors for major peri-operative complications in adult spinal deformity surgery: A multi-center review of 953 consecutive patients. Eur Spine J 2012;21:2603–10. Read more...

    Schwab FJ, Patel A, Shaffrey CI, et al. Sagittal realignment failures following pedicle subtraction osteotomy surgery: Are we doing enough? Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2012;16:539–46. Read more...

    Lafage V, Smith JS, Bess S, et al. Sagittal spino-pelvic alignment failures following three column thoracic osteotomy for adult spinal deformity. Eur Spine J 2012;21:698–704. Read more...

    Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Lafage V, et al. Spontaneous improvement of cervical alignment after correction of global sagittal balance following pedicle subtraction osteotomy Presented at the 2012 Joint Spine Section Meeting: Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2012;17:300–7. Read more...

    Tang JA, Scheer JK, Smith JS, et al. The impact of standing regional cervical sagittal alignment on outcomes in posterior cervical fusion surgery. Neurosurgery 2012;71:662–9. Read more...

    Ames CP, Smith JS, Scheer JK, et al. A standardized nomenclature zor cervical spine sozt-tissue release and osteotomy zor deformity correction. J Neurosurg Spine 2013;19:269–78. Read more...

    McCarthy IM, Hostin RA, O’Brien MF, et al. Analysis of the direct cost of surgery for four diagnostic categories of adult spinal deformity. Spine J 2013;13:1843–8. Read more...

    Hart R, McCarthy I, O’brien M, et al. Identification of decision criteria for revision surgery among patients with proximal junctional failure after surgical treatment of spinal deformity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);38. Epub ahead of print 2013. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31829fedde. Read more...

    Hostin R, McCarthy I, O’Brien M, et al. Incidence, mode, and location of acute proximal junctional failures after surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2013;38:1008–15. Read more...

    Kasliwal MK, Smith JS, Kanter A, et al. Management of High-Grade Spondylolisthesis. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:275–91. Read more...

    Fu K-MG, Smith JS, Burton DC, et al. Outcomes and complications of extension of previous long fusion to the sacro-pelvis: Is an anterior approach necessary? World Neurosurg 2013;79:177–81. Read more...

    Blondel B, Schwab F, Bess S, et al. Posterior global malalignment after osteotomy for sagittal plane deformity: It happens and here is why. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);38. Epub ahead of print 2013. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182872415. Read more...

    Hart RA, McCarthy I, Ames CP, et al. Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:213–8. Read more...

    Schwab FJ, Blondel B, Bess S, et al. Radiographical spinopelvic parameters and disability in the setting of adult spinal deformity: A prospective multicenter analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);38. Epub ahead of print 2013. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318292b7b9. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Tang JA, Smith JS, et al. Reoperation rates and impact on outcome in a large,prospective, multicenter, adult spinal deformity database. J Neurosurg Spine 2013;19:464–70. Read more...

    Gupta MC, Kebaish K, Blondel B, et al. Spinal Osteotomies for Rigid Deformities. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:203–11. Read more...

    Klineberg E, Schwab F, Smith JS, et al. Sagittal Spinal Pelvic Alignment. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:157–62. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Ames CP, Deviren V. Assessment and Treatment of Cervical Deformity. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:249–74. Read more...

    Mummaneni PV, Tu T-H, Ziewacz JE, et al. The Role of Minimally Invasive Techniques in the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:231–48. Read more...

    Terran J, Schwab F, Shaffrey CI, et al. The SRS-schwab adult spinal deformity classification: Assessment and clinical correlations based on a prospective operative and nonoperative cohort. Neurosurgery 2013;73:559–68. Read more...

    Akbar M, Terran J, Ames CP, et al. Use of Surgimap Spine in Sagittal Plane Analysis, Osteotomy Planning, and Correction Calculation. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:163–72. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Tang JA, Smith JS, et al. Cervical spine alignment, sagittal deformity, and clinical implications: A review. J Neurosurg Spine 2013;19:141–59. Read more...

    Smith JS, Klineberg E, Schwab F, et al. Change in classification grade by the srs-schwab adult spinal deformity classification predicts impact on health-related quality of life measures; prospective analysis of operative and nonoperative treatment. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2013;38:1663–71. Read more...

    Bess S, Schwab F, Lafage V, et al. Classifications for Adult Spinal Deformity and Use of the Scoliosis Research Society-Schwab Adult Spinal Deformity Classification. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:185–93. Read more...

    Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Fu KMG, et al. Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of the Adult Spinal Deformity Patient. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:143–56. Read more...

    Hart RA, Cabalo A, Bess S, et al. Comparison of patient and surgeon perceptions of adverse events after adult spinal deformity surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2013;38:732–6. Read more...

    Fu KMG, Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, et al. Coronal Realignment and Reduction Techniques and Complication Avoidance. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2013;24:195–202. Read more...

    McCarthy I, Hostin R, O’Brien M, et al. Cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity: A comparison of dollars per quality of life improvement across health domains. Spine Deform 2013;1:293–8. Read more...

    Buckland AJ, Vigdorchik J, Schwab FJ, et al. Acetabular Anteversion Changes Due to Spinal Deformity Correction: Bridging the Gap between Hip and Spine Surgeons. J Bone Jt Surg - Am Vol 2014;97:1913–20. Read more...

    Slobodyanyuk K, Poorman CE, Smith JS, et al. Clinical improvement through nonoperative treatment of adult spinal deformity: Who is likely to benefit? Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS1426. Read more...

    Liu S, Schwab F, Smith JS, et al. Likelihood of reaching minimal clinically important difference in adult spinal deformity: A comparison of operative and nonoperative treatment. Ochsner J 2014;14:67–77. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Lafage V, Smith JS, et al. Maintenance of radiographic correction at 2 years following lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy is superior with upper thoracic compared with thoracolumbar junction upper instrumented vertebra. Eur Spine J 2014;24:121–30. Read more...

    Fu K-MG, Bess S, Shaffrey CI, et al. Patients with adult spinal deformity treated operatively report greater baseline pain and disability than patients treated nonoperatively; However, deformities differ between age groups. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2014;39:1401–7. Read more...

    Lafage V, Blondel B, Smith JS, et al. Preoperative planning for pedicle subtraction osteotomy: Does pelvic tilt matter? Spine Deform 2014;2:358–66. Read more...

    Smith JS, Lafage V, Schwab FJ, et al. Prevalence and type of cervical deformity among 470 adults with thoracolumbar deformity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);39. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000432. Read more...

    Smith JS, Shaffrey E, Klineberg E, et al. Prospective multicenter assessment of risk factors for rod fracture following surgery for adult spinal deformity. J Neurosurg Spine 2014;21:994–1003. Read more...

    Moal B, Schwab F, Ames CP, et al. Radiographic outcomes of adult spinal deformity correction: A critical analysis of variability and failures across deformity patterns. Spine Deform 2014;2:219–25. Read more...

    Clark AJ, Garcia RM, Keefe MK, et al. Results of the AANS membership survey of adult spinal deformity knowledge: Impact of training, practice experience, and assessment of potential areas for improved education. J Neurosurg Spine 2014;21:640–7. Read more...

    Fu K-MG, Smith JS, Burton DC, et al. Revision extension to the pelvis versus primary spinopelvic instrumentation in adult deformity: Comparison of clinical outcomes and complications. World Neurosurg 2014;82:E547–52. Read more...

    Haque RM, Mundis Jr. GM, Ahmed Y, et al. Comparison of radiographic results after minimally invasive, hybrid, and open surgery for adult spinal deformity: A multicenter study of 184 patients. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS1424. Read more...

    Maier SP, Smith JS, Schwab FJ, et al. Revision surgery after 3-column osteotomy in 335 patients with adult spinal deformity intercenter variability and risk factors. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2014;39:881–5. Read more...

    Smith JS, Singh M, Klineberg E, et al. Surgical treatment of pathological loss of lumbar lordosis (flatback) in patients with normal sagittal vertical axis achieves similar clinical improvement as surgical treatment of elevated sagittal vertical axis: Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2014;21:160–70. Read more...

    Mummaneni PVM, Shaffrey CI, Lenke LG, et al. The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery algorithm: A reproducible rational framework for decision making in minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS1413. Read more...

    Ryan DJ, Protopsaltis TS, Ames CP, et al. T1 pelvic angle (TPA) effectively evaluates sagittal deformity and assesses radiographical surgical outcomes longitudinally. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2014;39:1203–10. Read more...

    Protopsaltis T, Schwab F, Bronsard N, et al. The T1 pelvic angle, a novel radiographic measure of global sagittal deformity, accounts for both spinal inclination and pelvic tilt and correlates with health-related quality of life. J Bone Jt Surg - Am Vol 2014;96:1631–40. Read more...

    McCarthy IM, Hostin RA, Ames CP, et al. Total hospital costs of surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity: An extended follow-up study. Spine J 2014;14:2326–33. Read more...

    Kim HJ, Boachie-Adjei O, Shaffrey CI, et al. Upper thoracic versus lower thoracic upper instrumented vertebrae endpoints have similar outcomes and complications in adult scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976);39. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000339. Read more...

    Bianco K, Norton R, Schwab F, et al. Complications and intercenter variability of three-column osteotomies for spinal deformity surgery: A retrospective review of 423 patients. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.2.FOCUS1422. Read more...

    Uribe JS, Deukmedjian AR, Mummaneni PV, et al. Complications in adult spinal deformity surgery: An analysis of minimally invasive, hybrid, and open surgical techniques. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS13534. Read more...

    Bess S, Line BG, Lafage V, et al. Does recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 use in adult spinal deformity increase complications and are complications associated with location of rhBMP-2 Use? A prospective, multicenter study of 279 consecutive patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2014;39:233–42. Read more...

    Sparrey CJ, Bailey JF, Safaee M, et al. Etiology of lumbar lordosis and its pathophysiology: A review of the evolution of lumbar lordosis, and the mechanics and biology of lumbar degeneration. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.1.FOCUS13551. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Lafage V, Smith JS, et al. Impact of age on the likelihood of reaching a minimum clinically important difference in 374 three-column spinal osteotomies: Clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine 2014;20:306–12. Read more...

    McCarthy I, O’Brien M, Ames C, et al. Incremental cost-effectiveness of adult spinal deformity surgery: Observed quality-adjusted life years with surgery compared with predicted quality-adjusted life years without surgery. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS1415. Read more...

    Wang MY, Mummaneni PV, Fu KG, et al. Less invasive surgery for treating adult spinal deformities: Ceiling effects for deformity correction with 3 different techniques. Neurosurg Focus;36. Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.3171/2014.3.FOCUS1423. Read more...

    Sciubba DM, Yurter A, Smith JS, et al. A Comprehensive Review of Complication Rates after Surgery for Adult Deformity: A Reference for Informed Consent. Spine Deform 2015;3:575–94 Read more...

    Saigal R, Clark AJ, Scheer JK, et al. Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Recall Fewer Than 50% of the Risks Discussed in the Informed Consent Process Preoperatively and the Recall Rate Worsens Significantly in the Postoperative Period. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:1079–85. Read more...

    Protopsaltis TS, Scheer JK, Terran JS, et al. How the neck affects the back: Changes in regional cervical sagittal alignment correlate to HRQOL improvement in adult thoracolumbar deformity patients at 2-year follow-up. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:153–8. Read more...

    Liu S, Lafage R, Smith JS, et al. Impact of dynamic alignment, motion, and center of rotation on myelopathy grade and regional disability in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:690–700. Read more...

    Soroceanu A, Burton DC, Diebo BG, et al. Impact of obesity on complications, infection, and patient-reported outcomes in adult spinal deformity surgery. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:656–64. Read more...

    Passias PG, Soroceanu A, Scheer J, et al. Magnitude of preoperative cervical lordotic compensation and C2-T3 angle are correlated to increased risk of postoperative sagittal spinal pelvic malalignment in adult thoracolumbar deformity patients at 2-year follow-up. Spine J 2015;15:1756–63. Read more...

    Liu S, Tetreault L, Fehlings MG, et al. Novel method using baseline normalization and area under the curve to evaluate differences in outcome between treatment groups and application to patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy undergoing anterior versus posterior surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:E1299–304. Read more...

    Gupta MC, Ferrero E, Mundis G, et al. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy in the revision versus primary adult spinal deformity patient. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:E1169–75. Read more...

    Passias PG, Soroceanu A, Smith J, et al. Postoperative Cervical Deformity in 215 Thoracolumbar Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Patient-Reported Outcome and Satisfaction at 2-Year Follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:283–91. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Mundis GM, Klineberg E, et al. Postoperative Recovery after Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Comparative Analysis of Age in 149 Patients during 2-year Follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:1505–15 Read more...

    Soroceanu A, Diebo BG, Burton D, et al. Radiographical and Implant-Related Complications in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Incidence, Patient Risk Factors, and Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:1414–21. Read more...

    Ames CP, Smith JS, Eastlack R, et al. Reliability assessment of a novel cervical spine deformity classification system. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:673–83. Read more...

    Maggio D, Ailon TT, Smith JS, et al. Assessment of impact of standing long-cassette radiographs on surgical planning for lumbar pathology: An international survey of spine surgeons. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:581–8. Read more...

    Tang JA, Scheer JK, Smith JS, et al. The impact of standing regional cervical sagittal alignment on outcomes in posterior cervical fusion surgery. Clin Neurosurg 2015;76:S14–21. Read more...

    Fakurnejad S, Scheer JK, Lafage V, et al. The likelihood of reaching minimum clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit at 2 years following a 3-column osteotomy: Analysis of 140 patients. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:340–8. Read more...

    Sciubba DM, Scheer JK, Smith JS, et al. Which daily functions are most affected by stiffness following total lumbar fusion: Comparison of upper thoracic and thoracolumbar proximal endpoints. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:1338–44. Read more...

    Oh T, Scheer JK, Eastlack R, et al. Cervical compensatory alignment changes following correction of adult thoracic deformity: A multicenter experience in 57 patients with a 2-year follow-up. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;22:658–65. Read more...

    Moal B, Lafage V, Smith JS, et al. Clinical Improvement Through Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity: What Can Be Expected and Who Is Likely to Benefit Most? Spine Deform 2015;3:566–74. Read more...

    Park P, Wang MY, Lafage V, et al. Comparison of two minimally invasive surgery strategies to treat adult spinal deformity. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;22:374–80. Read more...

    Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Lafage V, et al. Comparison of best versus worst clinical outcomes for adult spinal deformity surgery: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected, multicenter database with 2-year follow-up. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;23:349–59. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Smith JS, Clark AJ, et al. Comprehensive study of back and leg pain improvements after adult spinal deformity surgery: Analysis of 421 patients with 2-year follow-up and of the impact of the surgery on treatment satisfaction. J Neurosurg Spine 2015;22:540–53. Read more...

    Mummaneni PV, Park P, Fu K-M, et al. Does minimally invasive percutaneous posterior instrumentation reduce risk of proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity surgery? A propensity-matched cohort analysis. Neurosurgery 2015;78:101–8. Read more...

    Daniels AH, Smith JS, Hiratzka J, et al. Functional limitations due to lumbar stiffness in adults with and without spinal deformity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40:1599–604. Read more...

    Jalai CM, Passias PG, Lafage V, et al. A comparative analysis of the prevalence and characteristics of cervical malalignment in adults presenting with thoracolumbar spine deformity based on variations in treatment approach over 2 years. Eur Spine J 2016;25:2423–32. Read more...

    Hostin R, Robinson C, O’Brien M, et al. A multicenter comparison of inpatient resource use for adult spinal deformity surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:603–9. Read more...

    Park P, Wang MY, Nguyen S, et al. Comparison of Complications and Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes between Nonobese and Obese Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity Undergoing Minimally Invasive Surgery. World Neurosurg 2016;87:55–60. Read more...

    Anand N, Cohen RB, Cohen JB, et al. Comparison of Early and Late Complications after Circumferential Minimally Invasive and Hybrid Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity. 2016. Read more...

    Gupta M, Henry JK, Schwab F, et al. Dedicated spine measurement software quantifies key spinopelvic parameters more reliably than traditional picture archiving and communication systems tools. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:E22–7. Read more...

    Lafage R, Schwab F, Challier V, et al. Defining spino-pelvic alignment thresholds should operative goals in adult spinal deformity surgery account for age? Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:62–8. Read more...

    Scheer JK, Osorio JA, Smith JS, et al. Development of validated computer-based preoperative predictive model for proximal junction failure (PJF) or clinically significant PJK with 86% accuracy based on 510 ASD patients with 2-year follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:E1328–35. Read more...

    Soroceanu A, Oren JH, Smith JS, et al. Effect of antifibrinolytic therapy on complications, thromboembolic events, blood product utilization, and fusion in adult spinal deformity surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:E879–86. Read more...

    Kelly MP, Zebala LP, Kim HJ, et al. Effectiveness of preoperative autologous blood donation for protection against allogeneic blood exposure in adult spinal deformity surgeries: A propensitymatched cohort analysis. J Neurosurg Spine 2016;24:124–30. Read more...

    Ames C, Gammal I, Matsumoto M, et al. Geographic and ethnic variations in radiographic disability thresholds: Analysis of North American and Japanese operative adult spinal deformity populations. Neurosurgery 2016;78:793–800. Read more...

    Passias PG, Klineberg EO, Jalai CM, et al. Hospital Readmission Within 2 Years Following Adult Thoracolumbar Spinal Deformity Surgery: Prevalence, Predictors, and Effect on Patient-derived Outcome Measures. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:1355–64. Read more...

    Theologis AA, Ailon T, Scheer JK, et al. Impact of preoperative depression on 2-year clinical outcomes following adult spinal deformity surgery: The importance of risk stratification based on type of psychological distress. J Neurosurg Spine 2016;25:477–85. Read more...

    Ailon T, Scheer JK, Lafage V, et al. Adult Spinal Deformity Surgeons Are Unable to Accurately Predict Postoperative Spinal Alignment Using Clinical Judgment Alone. Spine Deform 2016;4:323–9. Read more...

    Harris BY, Roth MF, Diebo BG, et al. Investigating the Universality of Preoperative Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for Surgically Treated Spinal Deformity in Young Adults: A Propensity Score–Matched Comparison Between African and US Populations. Spine Deform 2016;4:351–7. Read more...

    Soroceanu A, Burton DC, Oren JH, et al. Medical complications after adult spinal deformity surgery incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016;41:1718–23. Read more...