TY - JOUR A1 - Benditz, Achim A1 - Auer, Simon A1 - Spörrer, J.F. A1 - Wolkerstorfer, S. A1 - Grifka, Joachim A1 - Süß, Franz A1 - Dendorfer, Sebastian T1 - Regarding loads after spinal fusion, every level should be seen separately: a musculoskeletal analysis JF - European Spine Journal N2 - The 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. METHOD: The 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. RESULTS: In 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. CONCLUSION: Imbalanced 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. KW - AnyBody Modeling System KW - Musculoskeletal analysis KW - Sagittal balance KW - Spinal fusion KW - Spine biomechanics KW - Biomechanische Analyse KW - Wirbelsäulenversteifung KW - Vergleichende Anatomie Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-018-5476-5 VL - 27 IS - 8 SP - 1905 EP - 1910 PB - Springer-Verlag ER -