• A Benditz, S Auer, J F Spörrer, S Wolkerstorfer, J Grifka, F Suess, and S Dendorfer.
• Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Asklepios Klinikum Bad Abbach, Kaiser-Karl-V-Allee 3, 93077, Bad Abbach, Germany. achim.benditz@ukr.de.
• Eur Spine J. 2018 Aug 1; 27 (8): 1905-1910.

IntroductionThe number of spinal fusion surgeries is steadily increasing and biomechanical consequences are still in debate. The aim of this study is to provide biomechanical insights into the sagittal balance of the spine and to compare spinal load before and after spinal fusion.MethodThe joint reaction forces of 52 patients were analyzed in proximo-distal and antero-posterior direction from the levels T12-L1 to L5-S1 using musculoskeletal simulations.ResultsIn 104 simulations, pre-surgical forces were equal to post-surgical. The levels L4-L5 and T12-L1, however, showed increased spinal forces compression forces with higher sagittal displacement. Improved restauration of sagittal balance was accompanied by lower spinal load. AP shear stress, interestingly decreased with sagittal imbalance.ConclusionImbalanced spines have a risk of increased compression forces at Th12-L1. L4-L5 always has increased spinal loads. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

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