Motion characteristics of the vertebral segments with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis in elderly patients
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Author(s)
Miao, Jun
Wang, Shaobai
Wan, Zongmiao
Park, Won Man
Xia, Qun
Wood, Kirkham
Li, Guoan
Date Issued
August 2012
Journal
European Spine Journal
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Citation
Miao, Jun, Shaobai Wang, Zongmiao Wan, Won Man Park, Qun Xia, Kirkham Wood, and Guoan Li. “Motion Characteristics of the Vertebral Segments with Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis in Elderly Patients.” European Spine Journal 22, no. 2 (August 15, 2012): 425–431.
Version
Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Objective
Although some studies have reported on the kinematics of the lumbar segments with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), few data have been reported on the in vivo 6 degree-of-freedom kinematics of different anatomical structures of the diseased levels under physiological loading conditions. This research is to study the in vivo motion characteristics of the lumbar vertebral segments with L4 DS during weight-bearing activities.
Methods
Nine asymptomatic volunteers (mean age 54.4) and 9 patients with L4 DS (mean age 73.4) were included. Vertebral kinematics was obtained using a combined MRI/CT and dual fluoroscopic imaging technique. During functional postures (supine, standing upright, flexion, and extension), disc heights, vertebral motion patterns and instability were compared between the two groups.
Results
Although anterior disc heights were smaller in the DS group than in the normal group, the differences were only significant at standing upright. Posterior disc heights were significantly smaller in DS group than in the normal group under all postures. Different vertebral motion patterns were observed in the DS group, especially in the left–right and cranial–caudal directions during flexion and extension of the body. However, the range of motions of the both groups were much less than the reported criteria of lumbar spinal instability.
Conclusion
The study showed that lumbar vertebra with DS has disordered motion patterns. DS did not necessary result in vertebral instability. A restabilization process may have occurred and surgical treatment should be planned accordingly.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2428-3
