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Changes in cervical canal spinal volume during in vitro flexion-extension
1Mechanics Department, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Spine
|June 1, 1996
Summary
This study measured physical changes in cervical spinal canal volume during flexion-extension. The physical volume changes correlated significantly with motion angles and canal width, validating the in vitro model.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Spinal Anatomy
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- Previous studies inferred cervical canal volume from radiographs.
- This study directly measures physical changes in canal volume.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in cervical spinal canal volume during flexion-extension motion.
- To compare in vitro measurements with in vivo data.
Main Methods:
- Applied quasistatic flexion and extension loads to lower cervical spines (C2-C7) from 10 cadavers in vitro.
- Measured canal volume by liquid displacement after removing the spinal cord.
- Recorded angular and displacement data using radiographs.
Main Results:
- Average change in cervical spinal canal volume was 1.9 ml during flexion-extension.
- Volume change showed significant linear correlation with dynamic canal width (r=0.868) and motion angle (r=0.979).
- In vitro motion angles closely matched reported in vivo ranges.
Conclusions:
- The in vitro loading method is physiologically relevant, producing in vivo-like motion.
- Cervical spinal canal volume changes are linearly related to flexion angle and dynamic canal width.