Intervertebral disc degeneration reduces vertebral motion responses.
METHODS
A prospective in vivo experimental animal study.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of disc degeneration and variable pulse duration mechanical excitation on dorsoventral lumbar kinematic responses.


BACKGROUND
In vitro and in vivo biomechanical studies have examined spine kinematics during posteroanterior loading mimicking spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), but few (if any) studies have quantified SMT loading-induced spinal motion responses in the degenerated intervertebral disc.


METHODS
Fifteen sheep underwent a survival surgical procedure resulting in chronic disc degeneration of the L1-L2 disc. Ten age- and weight-matched animals served as controls. Uniform pulse dorsoventral mechanical forces (80 N) were applied to the L3 spinous processes using 10-, 100-, and 200-ms duration pulses mimicking SMT. L3 displacement and L2-L1 acceleration in the control group were compared with the degenerated disc group.


RESULTS
Dorsoventral displacements increased significantly (fivefold, P < 0.001) with increasing mechanical excitation pulse duration (control and degenerated disc groups). Displacements and L2-L1 acceleration transfer were significantly reduced (approximately 19% and approximately 50%, respectively) in the degenerated disc group compared with control (100- and 200-ms pulse duration protocols, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Dorsoventral vertebral motions are dependent on mechanical excitation pulse duration and are significantly reduced in animals with degenerated discs.
Colloca
Christopher J
CJ
Department of Kinesiology, Biomechanics Laboratory, Exercise and Sport Science Research Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. christopher.colloca@asu.edu
Keller
Tony S
TS
Moore
Robert J
RJ
Gunzburg
Robert
R
Harrison
Deed E
DE
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D009038:Motion; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012756:Sheep; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors