Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Modern Spine Surgery: Why Is it So Common?

Abstract

In the past few decades, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) has emerged as a new complication after instrumented spinal fusion in adult and pediatric spinal deformities. This phenomenon has occurred concomitantly with the rise of robust instrumentation techniques and enhancement of our abilities to obtain greater spinal deformity correction. The goal of this paper is to review the mechanical and biological causes of PJK and recommend prevention strategies.

Keywords

• proximal junctional kyphosis
• spinal deformity
• sagittal alignment
• pelvic vertebra
• cone of economy