Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-5-2
pubmed:abstractText
Although considerable biomechanical investigations have been conducted to understand the response of the cervical spine under whiplash (rear impact-induced postero-anterior loading to the thorax), studies delineating the effects of initial spinal curvature are limited. This study advanced the hypothesis that abnormal curvatures (straight or kyphotic) of the cervical column affect spinal kinematics during whiplash loading. Specifically, compared to the normal lordotic curvature, abnormal curvatures altered facet joint ligament elongations. The quantifications of these elongations were accomplished using a validated mathematical model of the human head-neck complex that simulated three curvatures. The model was validated using companion experiments conducted in our laboratory that provided facet joint kinematics as a function of cervical spinal level. Regional facet joint ligament elongations were investigated as a function of whiplash loading in the four local anatomic regions of each joint. Under the normal posture, greatest elongations occurred in the dorsal anatomic region at the C2-C3 level and in the lateral anatomic region from C3-C4 to C6-C7 levels. Abnormal postures increased elongation magnitudes in these regions by up to 70%. Excessive ligament elongations induce laxity to the facet joint, particularly at the local regions of the anatomy in the abnormal kyphotic posture. Increased laxity may predispose the cervical spine to accelerated degenerative changes over time and lead to instability. Results from the present study, while providing quantified level- and region-specific kinematic data, concur with clinical findings that abnormal spinal curvatures enhance the likelihood of whiplash injury and may have long-term clinical and biomechanical implications.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0021-9290
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
38
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1313-23
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-11
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Effects of abnormal posture on capsular ligament elongations in a computational model subjected to whiplash loading.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Evaluation Studies, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural