Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J50731.

Journal:


Spine

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 27, 6, 587-595

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study investigated to determine which cervical positions during normal range of motion might place the neural tissues of the spine at increased risk of injury. The authors instrumented 17 human cadaver spines with specially designed intervertebral foramen occlusion transducers and a spinal canal occlusion transducer. The specimens were loaded with pure bending motions to produce simulated physiologic motions of the lower cervical spine. The resulting occlusion profiles for the intervertebral foramen and spinal canal were recorded along with the 6-degree-of-freedom position of the cervical spine. Because these occlusion measurements describe the ability of the spine to preserve the space for the neural structure, the authors define this neuroprotective role of the vertebral column as neural space integrity. No significant change in the spinal canal integrity was detected for any physiologic motion; however, intervertebral foramen integrity was significantly altered in extension, ipsilateral bending, a combined ipsilateral bending and extension, and combined contralateral bending with extension when compared with intact neutral position. Subsequent changes in neural space integrity may be regarded as resulting from normal human cervical spine motion.

Author(s):


Nuckley, David J., Konodi, Mark A., Raynak, Geoffrey C., Ching, Randal P., Mirza, Sohail K.

Participating Centers: