Part I: Background, History, Biomechanics, and Medical Imaging F eatures.

1. Acquired degenerative changes of the interv ertebral segments at and suprajacent to the lumbosacral junction: A radi oanatomic analysis of the discal and nondiscal structures of the spinal column and perispinal soft tissue (J.R. Jinkins). 2. Intervertebral disc cages: Background, theory, specific types and dilemmas (D.L. Kaech, J.R . Jinkins). 3. Clinicoradiologic evaluation of degenerative spinal insta bility, indications and contraindications for a fusion using cages (D.L. Kaech, J.R. Jinkins). 4. Axial loaded CT of the lumbar spine (R. Cartol ari). 5 Cine-axial loaded CT: Pre- and post-surgical imaging. Preliminar y observations (R. Cartolari). 6. Upright, weight-bearing, dynamic-kinet ic MRI of the spine: pMRI/kMRI (J.R. Jinkins, J. Dworkin). 7. Sagittal l umbar spinal balance: A method of measurement (P. Tropiano, J.J. Bronsar d, D.L. Kaech). 8. Spinal implant biomechanics for the non-engineer and the role of the interbody fusion device (K.E. Warden). 9. Biomechanical testing of cervical and lumbar interbody fusion cages (H.J. Wilke, A. Ke