Biomechanical loading of the sacrum in pre- and post operative adolescents idiopathic scoliosis

Posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion techniques are used over decades to correct spinal deformities higher than 40 degrees in scoliotic subjects [1]. Although these methods are successfully decreased the spinal curvature in scoliosis, the biomechanical loading of the distal unfused vertebrae is not well studied after operation. Among unfused vertebrae sacrum, the connective vertebra between the spine and pelvis, is of special interest; the biomechanical loading of the sacrum contributes to the transferred load between the spine and lower extremities and hence impacts the postural equilibrium of the subject [2]. This study tries to present the biomechanical loading of the sacrum in scoliotic patients with different curve types before and after spinal fusion via a comprehensive finite element model (FEM).