Effect of partial discectomy on the stability of the lumbar spine. A study of kinematics.
The effect on the stability of the lumbar motion segment, as affected by partial discectomy, was investigated using three-dimensional motion measurement technique. Eight functional spinal units from fresh cadaver lumbar spines were potted and clinically relevant loads applied through a special loading frame attached rigidly to the top vertebra of the specimen. Partial discectomy was performed on the right side of the specimen. The three-dimensional motions of each lumbar motion segment, before and after partial discectomy, were recorded. The results showed that partial discectomy significantly affects the stability of lumbar spinal motion segments. The clinical relevance of this finding is discussed.
Hou
T S
TS
Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai.
Tu
K Y
KY
Xu
Y K
YK
Zhang
W M
WM
Wang
H C
HC
Wang
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement