Can spinal deformity patients maintain proper arm positions while undergoing full-body X-ray?

This study documented the patient compliance rate of maintaining standardized arm position during full-body X-rays of spinal deformity patients. The overall compliance rate was 90.0% for all patients in the preoperative and postoperative setting. Risk factors for lower compliance rates included patients that were pediatric, postoperative, neuromuscular, and those who underwent a complex vertebral osteotomy or GRL. There was a trend showing improved compliance rate throughout the 4-year study period, which highlights the importance of having an ancillary staff who is comfortable with a consistent standard of care protocol. These results should help other centers optimize arm positioning in their patients undergoing full-body X-rays in the future.