MSK Validation Study

Overview

Spinal posture and imbalance are known to be related to increased muscle expenditure, with narrow "cone of economy" of muscle effort defining the most comfortable postures. Therefore, it is hypothesized that predicting the posture of the lowest muscle effort available for a patient with a given spinal alignment and body properties will correspond to the posture the patient will most likely assume. Based on established musculoskeletal models, a model application was configured to allow prediction of this optimal posture. This study aims to assess the validity of this approach and the value of using biomechanical modeling for pre-operative planning.

The objective of this study is to validate a novel method of post-operative posture prediction - a full-body biomechanical model based on an established technology and physiological reasoning. Specifically, the model ability to predict postoperative global sagittal alignment, including compensatory and reciprocal changes, from pre-operative radiographic imaging and the information about planned posture correction will be evaluated. This will be realized by comparing model-predicted radiographic measures and overall balance to follow-up patient radiographs. Having demonstrated model validity to predict postoperative posture will allow to use this method for simulating various "what-if" scenarios to empower surgical planning by predicting expected outcomes. This can be used to optimizing preoperative planning, which has a potential to substantially improved surgery predictability and patient outcomes. Furthermore, validated model will allow scientific investigation of the principles governing human posture and biomechanics of the pathological spine. Generated scientific knowledge of biomechanical factors influencing sagittal posture and surgery outcomes (e.g. number of levels fused, amount and distribution of posture correction, etc.) can lead to improvements in clinical management of spinal disorders.

Conditions