Biomechanical Study on the Effect of Cervical Spine Fusion on Adjacent-Level Intradiscal Pressure and Segmental Motion

Abstract

Clinical studies have reported increased rates of disc degeneration at levels adjacent to fusion. It is believed that eliminating motion through fusion shifts the load to the adjacent levels, causing earlier disc degeneration. This study has shown that significant increases in intradiscal pressure and segmental motion occur at levels adjacent to fusion during normal range of motion. These results may partially explain the mechanism of early disc degeneration at levels adjacent to cervical spine fusion.