“Isolation of a single strategy is yet to be successful in PJK prevention. When used post-operatively, the Align Orthosis is a non-invasive addition to mitigation strategies, so we truly have a multifactorial approach to prevention,” said Dr. Kim.
According to a published study in Spine1, spine deformity surgeries are increasing at a rapid rate, up 141 percent between 2004 and 2014. Additional research2 suggests that proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) occurs in approximately up to 30 percent of adult deformity surgery patients, with most cases occurring within two years of surgery. Symptoms include pain, neurologic deficit and ambulatory difficulties – which can often lead to revision surgeries that are costly and painful. The lack of a singular solution for surgeons to mitigate the incidence of PJK underscores the need for a multifactorial strategy.