title: [Technical measuring procedures for 3-dimensional movement analysis of experimentally-induced fractures of the thoracolumbar spine and initial results].
abstract: Biomechanics and motion following fractures of the thoracolumbar spine have not yet been clarified. The motion acts in 6 degrees of freedom: three rotations and three translations parallel to the system of coordinates. The problem is to measure each rotation and each translation individually. This requires a method allowing precise three-dimensional evaluation of the motion that takes place in the genesis of a spine fracture. This technique should not influence the experiment, should give exact data over a wide range of measurement and, finally, should require as little equipment as possible. To fulfil these conditions we have developed a "double cube" model. Cadaver spine units from T11 to L3 were used. T11 was blocked with T12 and L2 with L3. These blocks were used to fix the spine in a testing machine so that a wedge-compression fracture could be produced in L1. Dorsal to each of the blocks one cube was mounted, the caudal one fixed while the cranial one could be moved by the machine. In the caudal cube a right-handed cartesian system of coordinates was defined, in which the vertebrate above would move and break. This technique can be used to describe either physiological or fracture experiments or, for example, to compare stability tests for different fixation devices. It is demonstrated that precise three-dimensional description of the biomechanics of vertebral fractures is possible with little and simple equipment. The cubes in this model are easily to integrate in the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Franck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steinbeck
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlenzka
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gotzen
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008838:Microcomputers; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology
vernacular_title: Messtechnisches Verfahren zur dreidimensionalen Bewegungsanalyse von experimentell erzeugten Frakturen der thorakolumbalen Wirbelsäule und erste Ergebnisse.