Clinical and radiographic evaluation of adult spinal deformities

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect spinal alignment. We review the clinical evaluation and radiographic assessment of ASD. Evaluation begins with a thorough patient history and a global and spine-specific physical examination. Thorough radiographic evaluation is essential for diagnosis, evaluation of deformity, planning of surgical procedures, and monitoring of outcomes. Spinopelvic parameters can be used to evaluate deformities; they are associated with quality of life, and they help characterize sagittal malalignment and pelvic compensation. Newly described radiographic parameters, including T1 pelvic angle and deformity angular ratio, assist surgeons in the evaluation of ASD.