A Critical Analysis of Motion of the Lumbar Spine Adjacent to an Interbody Fusion: A Clinical Radiological Study and Biomechanical Cadaveric Study

Fusion of different lengths of the spine is indicated in various conditions. The redistribution of stress among the unfused segments has been correlated with and blamed for subsequent degeneration. In the literature, the incidence of clinically significant degeneration after various types of spinal fusions remains controversial. Some authors believe that it is uncommon, however others have reported a near 15% incidence of significant symptoms with some requiring reoperations [1,2].