Evaluation of Spinous Process Tethering at the Proximal End of Rigid Constructs: In Vitro Range of Motion and Intradiscal Pressure at Instrumented and Adjacent Levels.

Background: Adult spinal deformity surgery requires use of long thoracolumbar instrumentation, which is associated with risk of postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). Tethering has been used in spinal surgery but not around the spinous process (SP) in the context of preventing PJK.

Methods: Researchers applied a nondestructive hybrid loading protocol to 7 T8-L2 cadaveric specimens in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation (AR).