Adult Spinal Deformity: Sagittal Imbalance

Abstract

Spinal sagittal imbalance, deformity of the spine in the sagittal plane, is nowadays a major cause of pain and disability among patients presenting to the spine clinic in daily practice. Normal sagittal spinal balance is a result of mutual articulation of the pelvis and the spine in the sagittal plane. Sagittal imbalance of the spine could be related to many spinal pathologies interesting primarily the spine or could appear after an instrumentation spinal surgery. Variations in the spine sagittal alignment can be compensated by compensatory mechanisms occurring in the spine, pelvis and lower limb areas. The main objective of these mechanisms is to allow the patient to keep an erect position within the cone of economy in an energy-efficient way. Once a spinal deformity surpasses these compensatory mechanisms surgical intervention is often requested. In this paper the Authors performed comprehensive a critical analysis of the rigidity of the deformity, including the spinal and pelvic parameters. The compensatory mechanisms are paramount in order to be able to offer a tailored solution to these patients. Since conservative measures fail in most patients, successful management of these patients requires achieving fusion of a balanced spine. Appropriate preoperative optimization as well as appropriate surgical preoperative planning are critical in order to avoid potential complications. Selecting the appropriate surgical technique to achieve spinal balance is crucial to success.