Adolescent spine patients have an increased incidence of acetabular overcoverage

Changes in spino-pelvic alignment can lead to changes in acetabular coverage and predispose those with spinal pathologies to hip pathologies. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of acetabular overcoverage in pediatric spine patients. Retrospective review of charts and EOS radiographs was conducted for patients ≤21 years old with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) or Scheuermann’s Kyphosis (SK) who were treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF) between 12/01/2015–7/26/2016. Radiographs were measured for lateral center edge angles (LCEA), anterior center edge angle (ACEA), and lumbar lordosis pre- and postoperatively. 32 patients met inclusion criteria. Preoperatively, mean LCEA was 44.1 degrees (range: 32–55, SD: 5.1) on the right and 42.8 degrees (range: 33–52, SD: 4.4) on the left. Mean preoperative ACEA was 56.0 degrees (range: 35–90, SD: 10.4). Mean preoperative lordosis was 56.0 degrees (range: −22–105, SD: 19.1) Preoperative LCEA was not associated with lordosis (right: r = 0.002, p = 0.78, left: r = 0.006, p = 0.66). Preoperative ACEA was no associated with lordosis (r = 0.02, p = 0.49). Overall, the mean percent change in LCEA was −3.4% (range: −19.6–21.9, SD: 10.3) on the right and −3.5% (range: −31.0–27.9, SD: 13.3) on the left. Mean percent change in ACEA was 9.1% (range: −20.6–35.7, SD: 15.1). Mean percent change in lordosis was −12.2% (range: −150–33.3, SD: 33.3. The incidence of acetabular overcoverage may be significantly higher in a pediatric spinal population than the general population. Careful monitoring of these patients for signs and symptoms of hip pathology may be warranted.