Impact of prior spinal fusion surgery on complications and functional outcomes following total hip arthroplasty: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare the complication rates and functional outcomes between patients with and without a history of spinal fusion undergoing THA.

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Studies that compared adults with and without a history of spinal fusion after primary THA were included. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using MINORS criteria. Meta-analyses were performed utilizing mean differences (MD), standardized mean differences (SMD), and odds ratios (OR), along with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Seventeen studies involving 1,789,356 patients (31,786 in the SF group and 1,757,570 in the Non-SF group) were analyzed. The spinal fusion group exhibited significantly higher rates of dislocation (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.78–3.52), periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.39–2.77), overall complications (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.10–2.71), and revision rates (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.74–1.99). Furthermore, within the first three months, there was an increased risk of dislocation (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.36–14.14) and revisions (OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.63–9.18). Longer spinal fusions were significantly associated with a higher risk of dislocations (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.53–0.71). Additionally, prior spinal fusion was linked to higher levels of pain (SMD 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.19) and poorer functional outcomes (MD − 0.09, 95% CI − 0.18 to − 0.00).

Patients with a history of spinal fusion undergoing THA exhibit increased complication rates, higher levels of pain, and greater functional limitations than those without prior fusion. These findings have significant clinical implications for optimizing perioperative care in high-risk patient populations.