Effects of an anatomically detailed erector spinae model on L4/L5 disc compression and shear

Biomechanical models utilized for analysis of tasks that load the lumbar spine often predict the resultant moment, disc compression and sometimes shear. Usually the extensor muscular and ligament forces of the lumbar spine are assumed to act 5 cm posterior to a disc centre of rotation. This study has re-examined the generation and pathways of muscular force transmission within the extensor musculature. The effects on L4/L5 disc compression and shear estimates of an anatomically and biomechanically justifiable range of tissue moment arms, lines of force and force generating capacity of muscle, input to a computer model, have been determined. Results indicated that L4/L5 compression estimates could be reduced by up to 35% when the output from a more realistic anatomical model of the erector spinae muscle group was compared with that from the frequently reported and simplified single muscle equivalent with a 5 cm moment arm. The shear force estimates could be altered from more than 500 N (L4 tending to shear anteriorly on L5) to less than 200 N with L4 tending to shear posteriorly on L5. Using the combination of input variables considered by the authors to be most feasible to estimate compression, a single 'equivalent' extensor soft tissue moment arm of 7.5 rather than 5 cm would be needed to equate the compression. This simplification of course, does not accommodate the shear force estimate problem.