title: Kinematics of the cervical spine following discectomy and stabilization.
abstract: The immediate biomechanical stability of the cervical spine following discectomy and stabilization is described. Fresh human ligamentous spines (C2-T2) were potted, and clinically relevant loads were applied by a loading frame attached to the C2 vertebra of each specimen. A set of three infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were attached rigidly to each of four vertebrae (C4 to C7) to record their spatial locations after each load step application using a Selspot II (Selcom Selective Electronic, Inc., Valdese, North Carolina) system. The specimen was tested in the intact state, following discectomy at the C5-6 intervertebral level, following insertion of a bone graft in the intervertebral space, and following the application of an anterior metal plate. The load-deformation data of the injured and stabilized tests were normalized with regard to the corresponding results of the intact specimens. At the injured level (C5-6), the load-deformation results indicated a highly significant increase in motion in flexion (66.6%), extension (69.5%), lateral bending (41.3%), and axial rotation (37.9%). After the insertion of the bone graft, a significant decrease in motion was seen in the effected segment in extension (-45.9%), with similar reductions in lateral bending and axial rotation and a smaller reduction in flexion. The application of an anterior metal plate in addition to the bone graft at the injured level provided significant reduction in motion (-70%) in all load modalities. This data may have clinical relevance regarding the role of internal fixation in cases of severe spine instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Goel
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion