title: Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure.
abstract: The object of this study was to examine the effect of vertebral axial decompression on pressure in the nucleus pulposus of lumbar discs. Intradiscal pressure measurement was performed by connecting a cannula inserted into the patient's L4-5 disc space to a pressure transducer. The patient was placed in a prone position on a VAX-D therapeutic table and the tensionometer on the table was attached via a pelvic harness. Changes in intradiscal pressure were recorded at resting state and while controlled tension was applied by the equipment to the pelvic harness. Intradiscal pressure demonstrated an inverse relationship to the tension applied. Tension in the upper range was observed to decompress the nucleus pulposus significantly, to below -100 mm Hg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D014143:Traction