Adjacent Segment Disease: Why the Joints Next to Your Fusion Wear Out

"Years after a successful spinal fusion, developing new back, neck, or leg pain can feel like a crushing setback. But it's a well-understood mechanical phenomenon called Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD). A fusion permanently stops motion at one level to stabilize it — but your spine still needs to bend, twist, and absorb load, so the joints right above and below have to work overtime. In this episode, we break down the mechanics of ASD: how that extra leverage speeds up wear on neighboring discs and joints, eventually narrowing the space where nerves exit. You'll learn the difference between routine degeneration on an X-ray and actual symptomatic disease, why full-body alignment matters, and why rehab focuses on muscle conditioning and coordination rather than rushing back to the operating room. #SpineLibrary #AdjacentSegmentDisease #SpinalFusion #SpineHealth #PatientEducation"