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

To determine the effect of cervical spine fusion on adjacent-level intradiscal pressure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Clinical studies have reported that patients with spinal fusion are at greater risk of pathology and early disc degeneration at adjacent levels. It is hypothesized that eliminating motion at one level leads to hypermobility and increased forces at adjacent levels, thus increasing the rate of disc degeneration.

Six cadaveric cervical spine specimens were tested. Specimens were stabilized at T1 and loaded at C3 to 20 degrees of flexion and 15 degrees of extension. Intradiscal pressures and segmental motion at C4-C5 and C6-C7 were recorded first on intact specimens, and then after anterior cervical plating at C5-C6. Changes in intradiscal pressure and segmental motion were calculated and statistically analyzed using a paired Student t test.