TY - JOUR
T1 - In vitro biomechanical study to quantify range of motion, intradiscal pressure, and facet force of 3-level dynamic stabilization constructs with decreased stiffness
AU - Lee, Joseph K.
AU - Gomez, Jaime
AU - Michelsen, Christopher
AU - Kim, Yongjung
AU - Moldavsky, Mark
AU - Chinthakunta, Suresh Reddy
AU - Khalil, Saif
PY - 2013/10/15
Y1 - 2013/10/15
N2 - Study Design: An in vitro biomechanical study. Objective: To perform in vitro biomechanical testing on a lumbar spine using a 6-degree-of-freedom machine. To compare the range of motion (ROM), intradiscal pressure, and facet force of different 3-level dynamic stabilization constructs with traditional rigid constructs. To determine the effect of decreasing the stiffness of the dynamic construct on the various parameters. Summary of Background Data: Dynamic stabilization systems are a surgical option that may minimize the development of adjacent segment disease. Methods: Seven T12-S1 specimens were tested at ±7.5 Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The testing sequence was (1) intact, (2) intact with facet sensors, (3) L3-S1 rigid (3R), (4) L3-L4 dynamic and L4-S1 rigid (1D-2R A), (5) L3-L5 dynamic and L5-S1 rigid (2D-1R A), and (6) L3-S1 dynamic (3D A). Constructs 1D-2R A, 2D-1R A, and 3D A were tested again with the specialized designs of B and C of decreased stiffness. ROM, intradiscal pressure, and facet force were measured. Results: In all loading modes there was a trend of increasing motion with decreased stiffness. Significant differences were seen with more dynamic stabilization levels but no significance was seen with only decreasing the stiffness. 3R facet force at the caudal instrumented level significantly decreased compared with intact and dynamic stabilization constructs during axial rotation. Conclusion: Biomechanical testing resulted in a trend of increased ROM across instrumented levels as the stiffness was decreased. Dynamic stabilization increased the ROM across instrumented levels compared with rigid rods. These results suggest that decreasing the stiffness of the construct may lessen the probability of adjacent-level disease. Although the specialized devices are not commercially available, clinical data would be necessary for a clearer understanding of adjacent level effects and to confirm the in vitro biomechanical findings.
AB - Study Design: An in vitro biomechanical study. Objective: To perform in vitro biomechanical testing on a lumbar spine using a 6-degree-of-freedom machine. To compare the range of motion (ROM), intradiscal pressure, and facet force of different 3-level dynamic stabilization constructs with traditional rigid constructs. To determine the effect of decreasing the stiffness of the dynamic construct on the various parameters. Summary of Background Data: Dynamic stabilization systems are a surgical option that may minimize the development of adjacent segment disease. Methods: Seven T12-S1 specimens were tested at ±7.5 Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The testing sequence was (1) intact, (2) intact with facet sensors, (3) L3-S1 rigid (3R), (4) L3-L4 dynamic and L4-S1 rigid (1D-2R A), (5) L3-L5 dynamic and L5-S1 rigid (2D-1R A), and (6) L3-S1 dynamic (3D A). Constructs 1D-2R A, 2D-1R A, and 3D A were tested again with the specialized designs of B and C of decreased stiffness. ROM, intradiscal pressure, and facet force were measured. Results: In all loading modes there was a trend of increasing motion with decreased stiffness. Significant differences were seen with more dynamic stabilization levels but no significance was seen with only decreasing the stiffness. 3R facet force at the caudal instrumented level significantly decreased compared with intact and dynamic stabilization constructs during axial rotation. Conclusion: Biomechanical testing resulted in a trend of increased ROM across instrumented levels as the stiffness was decreased. Dynamic stabilization increased the ROM across instrumented levels compared with rigid rods. These results suggest that decreasing the stiffness of the construct may lessen the probability of adjacent-level disease. Although the specialized devices are not commercially available, clinical data would be necessary for a clearer understanding of adjacent level effects and to confirm the in vitro biomechanical findings.
KW - 6-degree-of-freedom testing.
KW - biomechanics
KW - dynamic stabilization
KW - facet force
KW - in vitro
KW - intradiscal pressure
KW - lumbar
KW - modifi ed stiffness
KW - range of motion
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U2 - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a6a4ec
DO - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a6a4ec
M3 - Article
C2 - 23921330
AN - SCOPUS:84886095469
SN - 0362-2436
VL - 38
SP - 1913
EP - 1919
JO - Spine
JF - Spine
IS - 22
ER -