Cervical degenerative changes in idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent long fusion to the sacrum as adults: incidence, severity, and evolution

This unique subgroup of patients, those having fusion from the thoracic spine to the sacrum as adults for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, had a high incidence and severity of degenerative changes in their cervical spine. Due to the presence of advanced cervical degenerative changes prior to the fusion, it is not possible to blame the fusion as the main cause for these findings. These changes are either related to the thoracic and lumbar deformities or are more likely due to this subgroup having a higher natural propensity for degenerative changes.