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Kinematic response of lumbar functional spinal units to axial torsion with and without superimposed compression and flexion/extension

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Abstract

Experimental data suggest that lumbar torsion contributes to lumbar disc degenerative changes, such as instability, spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis. However, some basic mechanical characteristics of the lumbar spine under torsional loading have not yet been reported in detail. For example, the function of the facet joints under combined mechanical loads such as torsion with superimposed flexion or extension postures is an area of interest about which little biomechanical data have been reported. In this study, the kinematic response to axial torsion with superimposed axial compression (200 N), compression-flexion (3 and 6 Nm) and compression-extension (3 and 6 Nm) was investigated in 10 cadaveric lumbar functional spinal units. Range of motion (ROM), and helical axes of motion (HAM), were analyzed. There was no difference in ROM between no preload, pure compressive and flexion-compression preload conditions. The ROM was significantly reduced by both extension-compression preload conditions (11% reduction for 3 Nm and 19% reduction for 6 Nm of extension) compared to the pure compressive preload. For no preload, the average HAM position in the transverse plane of the intervertebral disc was near the posteriormost part of the disc and located laterally on the side contralateral to the applied torsional moment. In the transverse plane, the HAM position showed a discrete trend towards the posterior part of the specimens during extension. Kinematic data were visualized using computer animation techniques and CT-based reconstructions of the respective specimens. This information may be used for identifying and characterizing physiologic and pathologic motion and for specifying conservative and surgical treatment concepts and, thus, may find application to identifying indications for spinal fusion or in evaluating the effect of future semi-flexible instrumentation.

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Acknowledgement

This work was funded in part by Stryker Corporation, Europe Division, Cestas France.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosurgical Department, Charité Humboldt-University of Berlin, Augustenburgerplatz 1, 13353 , Berlin, Germany

    Hannes Haberl & Wolfgang R. Lanksch

  2. M.E. Müller Institute for Biomechanics, University of Bern, Switzerland

    Peter A. Cripton, Tracy-E. Orr, Thomas Beutler, Hanspeter Frei & L.-P. Nolte

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2324 Main Mall, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Peter A. Cripton

Authors
  1. Hannes Haberl
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  2. Peter A. Cripton
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  3. Tracy-E. Orr
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  4. Thomas Beutler
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  5. Hanspeter Frei
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  6. Wolfgang R. Lanksch
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  7. L.-P. Nolte
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hannes Haberl.

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Dedication: The authors would like to dedicate this article to our co-author Dr. Tracy E. Orr. Tracy died unexpectedly in November 2002 from complications associated with childbirth. We are profoundly saddened by Tracy’s death. She was an incomparable scientific collaborator and friend. She will be greatly missed.

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Haberl, H., Cripton, P.A., Orr, TE. et al. Kinematic response of lumbar functional spinal units to axial torsion with and without superimposed compression and flexion/extension. Eur Spine J 13, 560–566 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0720-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0720-6

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