title: Adjacent level disk disease--is it really a fusion disease?
abstract: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is a relatively common phenomenon after spinal fusion surgery. Whether ASD is a consequence of the previous fusion or an individual's predisposition to continued degeneration remains unsolved to date. This article summarizes the existing biomechanical and clinical literature on the causes and clinical impact of ASD, as well as possible risk factors. Further, the theoretical advantage of motion-preserving technologies that aim to preserve the adjacent segment is discussed.
authors.affiliation: ORTON Orthopaedic Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. teija.lund@orton.fi
authors.forename: Teija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Oxland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000503:physiopathology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology