title: Tissue tightness disposes to disc hernia.
abstract: It seems likely that the tightness of tissue influences a patient's disposition to disc hernia. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical behaviour of tissue from disc hernia patients with that of controls. A computerized finger hyperextensometer was constructed, which allowed the measurement of the viscoelastic properties of the capsule and ligaments at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The disc group showed a reduced maximal extension angle of MCP joint II (P < 0.01), reduced tissue recovery value (P < 0.05), reduced relative subsecant area (P < 0.01) and relative integral of the regression curve (P < 0.01). The results indicate that an anulus fibrosus with reduced extension properties, reduced capacity of energy absorption and retarded shape recovery disposes to rupture.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Orthopädie, Rheumaklinik Bad Bramstedt, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000209:etiology*; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000502:physiology; D012421:Rupture