title: Mechanical role of the posterior column components in the cervical spine.
abstract: To quantify the mechanical role of posterior column components in human cervical spine segments.
  
  
  
  Twelve C6-7 segments were subjected to resection of (1) suprasinous/interspinous ligaments (SSL/ISL), (2) ligamenta flavum (LF), (3) facet capsules, and (4) facets. A robot-based testing system performed repeated flexibility testing of flexion-extension (FE), axial rotation (AR), and lateral bending (LB) to 2.5Nm and replayed kinematics from intact flexibility tests for each state. Range-of-motion, stiffness, moment resistance and resultant forces were calculated.
  
  
  
  The LF contributes largely to moment resistance, particularly in flexion. Facet joints were primary contributors to AR and LB mechanics. Moment/force responses were more sensitive and precise than kinematic outcomes.
  
  
  
  The LF is mechanically important in the cervical spine; its injury could negatively impact load distribution. Damage to facets in a flexion injury could lead to AR or LB hypermobility. Quantifying the contribution of spinal structures to moment resistance is a sensitive, precise process for characterizing structural mechanics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, E1641 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Tisherman
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, 69 Huanshan Road, 421001, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, E1641 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, E1641 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA. leejy@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Joon Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, E1641 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.|Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Technology Drive, 360B Center for Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
authors.forename: Gwendolyn A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sowa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, E1641 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cervical spine; Ligamentum flavum; Posterior column; Robotics; Serial resection