Dynamic evaluation of cervical disc herniation using kinetic MRI.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cervical disc herniation is a common condition affecting spinal kinematics.
• Understanding the impact on adjacent segments is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of cervical disc herniation on the kinematics of adjacent segmental motion.
• To determine if cervical disc herniation influences motion or disc height at adjacent spinal levels.

Main Methods:

• Kinetic MRI analysis of 407 patients with cervical disc herniation.
• Measurements included translational motion, angular variation, and disc height at segments C2/C3 through C7/T1.

Main Results:

• Spinal levels above herniation showed a 7.2% decrease in translational motion per mm of herniation.
• Levels below herniation exhibited a 5.2% decrease in angular motion per mm of herniation.
• No significant changes in disc height, translational, or angular motion were observed at adjacent segments.

Conclusions:

• Cervical disc herniation significantly affects motion at the herniated level but not at adjacent segments.
• Disc herniation and adjacent segment disease appear to be independent processes in the cervical spine.