The correspondents correctly highlight that the potential biomechanical advantages of longer IPSs extend beyond pullout strength, encompassing construct-level effects such as load transfer, stress distribution, and bending behavior under flexion and axial loading [2–4]. We agree that these mechanistic considerations are important and that screw length may influence construct biomechanics in ways not fully captured by isolated pullout strength measurements.

As noted, our operative protocol deliberately avoided aggressive reduction maneuvers such as rod over-contouring, compression, or distraction. This was intended to minimize variability and isolate the effect of IPS length under standardized conditions. Consequently, anterior column load sharing was not actively recruited or assessed in our trial. We concur with the correspondents that without intentional engagement of the anterior column, differences in IPS length alone may not translate into sustained radiological or functional benefits, which plausibly explains the convergence of outcomes observed at final follow-up.

We also acknowledge the relevance of the load-sharing classification described by McCormack et al. [5]. Future studies incorporating reduction strategies that actively engage the anterior column, coupled with surrogate measures of load sharing and construct biomechanics, may indeed provide deeper insights into whether IPS length has clinically meaningful effects when its proposed biomechanical mechanisms are fully utilized.

In summary, while our study demonstrated improved immediate correction with longer IPSs but no long-term differences, we agree that this should not be interpreted as evidence of biomechanical irrelevance. Rather, it underscores the importance of contextual factors—particularly anterior column recruitment—in determining whether screw length can influence sustained outcomes. We thank the authors for advancing this discussion and for suggesting directions for future research that may refine our understanding of IPS biomechanics in thoracolumbar fracture fixation.