Selection of Fusion Level- Wheeless

Description: Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
Treatment based on King et al Algorithm - Discussion: - fusion mass needs to include distal vertebra of structural curve; - if a more distal vertebra appears rotated in the same direction as more cephalad vertebrae, it should be included in the fusion mass; - arthrodesis should include the first stable vertebra - this is the vertebrae that is bisceted by a line drawn thru the middle of the spinous process of S1 perpendicular to the iliac crest; - in low lumbar curves, avoid extending the fusion mass past L4;