STUDY DESIGN: Human lumbar spine specimens were tested in axial rotation and side bending. Motion was related to the grade of degeneration. OBJECTIVES: To determine the degree to which degeneration with fissure formation in the disc affects axial rotation of the lumbar functional spine unit. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is controversy in the literature regarding the influence of severe degeneration and fissures of the disc on the range of axial rotation. METHODS: Thirty-six lumbar spine specimens were tested in axial rotation and side bending, by applying pure moments in an unconstrained setting. The motion in 6 df was recorded by dial gauges. The grade of degeneration was established by the grading schemes of Nachemson, Thompson, Adams, and Mimura. RESULTS: A significant increase of axial rotation and lateral translation under torque was found. This increase mainly took place between Grade 3 according to the schemes of Nachemson, Thompson, and Adams (no fissure formation) and the higher grades of degeneration (defined by fissure formation). Reduced disc height was always associated with fissures. CONCLUSIONS: A reduced lumbar disc height in radiographs seems to be associated with fissure formation in the disc. In this case, the range axial rotation after torque is increased in comparison with cases with less degeneration.
STUDY DESIGN:Human lumbar spine specimens were tested in axial rotation and side bending. Motion was related to the grade of degeneration. OBJECTIVES: To determine the degree to which degeneration with fissure formation in the disc affects axial rotation of the lumbar functional spine unit. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is controversy in the literature regarding the influence of severe degeneration and fissures of the disc on the range of axial rotation. METHODS: Thirty-six lumbar spine specimens were tested in axial rotation and side bending, by applying pure moments in an unconstrained setting. The motion in 6 df was recorded by dial gauges. The grade of degeneration was established by the grading schemes of Nachemson, Thompson, Adams, and Mimura. RESULTS: A significant increase of axial rotation and lateral translation under torque was found. This increase mainly took place between Grade 3 according to the schemes of Nachemson, Thompson, and Adams (no fissure formation) and the higher grades of degeneration (defined by fissure formation). Reduced disc height was always associated with fissures. CONCLUSIONS: A reduced lumbar disc height in radiographs seems to be associated with fissure formation in the disc. In this case, the range axial rotation after torque is increased in comparison with cases with less degeneration.
Authors: Fabio Galbusera; Marc van Rijsbergen; Keita Ito; Jacques M Huyghe; Marco Brayda-Bruno; Hans-Joachim Wilke Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2014-01-31 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Ana Barbir; Karolyn E Godburn; Arthur J Michalek; Alon Lai; Robert D Monsey; James C Iatridis Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2011-04-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: M M van Rijsbergen; V M P Barthelemy; A C T Vrancken; S P M Crijns; H-J Wilke; W Wilson; B van Rietbergen; K Ito Journal: Biomech Model Mechanobiol Date: 2016-09-23