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Published on: May 20, 2019
Zygapophyseal joint adhesions after induced hypomobility
Gregory D Cramer1, Charles N R Henderson, Joshua W Little
1Department of Research, National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, IL 60510, USA. gcramer@nuhs.edu
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|October 13, 2010
Summary
Induced hypomobility in rat lumbar spine zygapophyseal joints led to time-dependent adhesion development. Larger adhesions formed with longer periods of immobility, suggesting a link to spinal manipulation efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Spine Research
- Connective Tissue Biology
Background:
- Adhesions (ADH) are common in hypomobile joints but have not been documented in spinal zygapophyseal (Z) joints.
- Understanding adhesion formation in Z joints is crucial for spinal health and treatment interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of connective tissue adhesions in lumbar Z joints following experimentally induced intervertebral hypomobility.
- To determine the relationship between the duration of hypomobility and the presence and size of Z joint adhesions.
Main Methods:
- A rat model was used, inducing hypomobility in L4-L6 segments via surgical vertebral fixation.
- Zygapophyseal joints were analyzed after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of hypomobility using brightfield microscopy.
- A grading system quantified small, medium, and large adhesions per joint.
Main Results:
- Connective tissue adhesions were observed in Z joints across all study groups.
- Large adhesions were exclusively found in joints with 8, 12, or 16 weeks of induced hypomobility.
- The number of medium and large adhesions per joint significantly increased with the duration of hypomobility.
Conclusions:
- Intervertebral hypomobility induces a time-dependent development of adhesions within the lumbar Z joints.
- These findings suggest that spinal manipulation might be effective in resolving intra-articular adhesions in Z joints.
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