Stress shielding, or more correctly, device-related osteoporosis, probably can occur within vertebrae in response to rigid spinal instrumentation. However, the overall mechanical properties of vertebrae underlying spinal instrumentation are probably not at increased risk of fracture because the increase in cross-sectional area of the vertebra and incorporated fusion mass more than compensate for the loss of volumetric bone density.
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Farey et al. (1989) studied this question.
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