The multidirectional bending properties of the human lumbar intervertebral disc.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND

CONTEXT:
While the biomechanical properties of the isolated intervertebral disc have been well studied in the three principal anatomic directions of flexion/extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, there is little data on the properties in the more functional directions that are combinations of these principal anatomic directions.

PURPOSE:
To determine the bending flexibility, range of motion (ROM), and neutral zone (NZ) of the human lumbar disc in multiple directions and to determine if the values about the combined moment axes can be predicted from the values about principal moment axes.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING:
Three-dimensional biomechanical analysis of the elastic bending properties of human lumbar discs about principal and combined moment axes.

METHODS:
Pure, unconstrained moments were applied about multiple axes. The bending properties (flexibility, ROM, and NZ) of isolated lumbar discs (n=4 for L2/L3 and n=3 for L4/L5) were determined in the six principal directions and in 20 combined directions. The experimental values were compared with those predicted from the linear combination of the six principal moment axes.

RESULTS:
The maximum and minimum values of the biomechanical properties were found at the principal moment axes. Among combined moment axes, ROM and NZ (but not flexibility) values were predicted from the principal moment axis values.

CONCLUSIONS:
The principal moment axes coincide with the primary mechanical axes of the intervertebral disc and demonstrate significant differences in direction for values of flexibility, ROM, and NZ. Not all combined moment axis values can be predicted from principal moment axis values.

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Author information

Author/s: Spenciner, David (D); Greene, David (D); Paiva, James (J); Palumbo, Mark (M); Crisco, Joseph (J);

Affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society (Spine J), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 May-Jun; vol 6 (issue 3) : pp 248-57

Dates: Created 2006/05/02; Completed 2006/07/05; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16651218, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Intervertebral Disk - physiology
Lumbar Vertebrae - physiology

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