title: The clinical relevance of biomechanics.
abstract: Most neurologists are familiar with biomechanics but may be unsure of the relevance of this field to their practice. Actually those involved in musculoskeletal problems are undoubtedly using biomechanical principles. This article is limited to the spine, but the basic principles of biomechanics are applicable to other parts of the body. In this article, we describe the spine and trunk as a biomechanical organ, the biomechanical principles behind back injuries and their importance, the role of biomechanical issues in pain, the utility of clinical tests based on biomechanical principles, the effects of aging, and the future directions in spine biomechanical research.
authors.affiliation: Iowa Spine Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: DeVocht
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology