Measurement of Human Lumbar Spine Ligaments during Loaded and Unloaded Motion

Topographic relations between the neural and ligamentous structures of the lumbosacral junction: in-vitro investigation

“…Since specimens with anterolisthesis were not available, we used lumbosacral transitions with a physiologic form in accordance with the experimental design of Petraco et al [30]. The test method selected was an adaptation of that described by Hedtmann [13] for mechanical measurements of the motor segments. The L5/S1 motor segment was neutralized by ventral incision of the anterior longitudinal ligament and the fibrous ring and removal of the intervertebral disk and dorsal ligament apparatus.…”

Comparison of Lumbar Proprioception as Measured in Unrestrained Standing in Individuals With Disc Replacement, With Low Back Pain and Without Low Back Pain

“…23,41 The current data for the smallest movements also represent a further example of a movement task where individuals who have pain show better movement discrimination sensitivity than healthy controls, 24,33 although the mechanisms by which this occurs may differ with the nature of the pathology. For those with discogenic back pain, it could be suggested that the process of degenerative disc disease is associated with loss of disc height and increased loading of the facet joints, 10,18,35,52,58 thereby resulting in better discrimination scores. Similarly, Newcomer et al 33 found evidence of better discrimination in extension for individuals with low back pain when compared to a sample of healthy normals, a finding possibly related to increased facet loading and thus a function of nociception rather than proprioception, due to the mechanical loading of inflamed joint surfaces.…”

“…30 Facet joint capsules have been shown to resist forward bending of the lumbar spine. 1 Hedtmann et al 18 showed that there is a tendency for the upper fibers of facet joint capsules in the lumbar spine to be stretched in the upright posture when disc height is reduced. Furthermore, loss of disc height also moves the center of motion more anteriorly, increasing the stress on the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum into flexion.…”