Influence of the sagittal balance on the segmental load and the success of the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the spine

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Putzier
• Subject Area: Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 237066896

Until now it has only been assumed that the sagittal profile of the spine is a predisposing factor for the development of different degeneration patterns at the lumbar spine due to the different biomechanical loads. Besides this, the sagittal balance of the spine possibly plays a significant role for the success of surgical treatment methods. Both assumptions have not yet been evaluated, neither in biomechanical models nor in clinical or radiological studies. Within the framework of the project, the muscle forces are estimated using an inverse-dynamic model and transferred to finite element models of the lumbar spine with different sagittal profiles. Within the models, degeneration relevant biomechanical differences can be validated and different single-level surgical treatment options will be simulated. Parallel to this, a patient cohort will be analyzed for profile specific degeneration patterns. In another group of patients the influence of pre- and postoperative parameters of the sagittal balance on the clinical and radiological results of the surgical treatment will be investigated. The recombination of the model-based and the clinical and radiological results allows the optimization of the computer models itselves and the determination of prognostic and preventive factors for the preservation of the spinal balance. Furthermore, it will be possible to increase the success rate of necessary surgical interventions by implementation of the findings of this project in the clinical practice.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Dr. Eike Hoff; Dr.-Ing. Antonius Rohlmann; Privatdozent Dr. Patrick Strube