A biomechanical analysis of the clinical stability of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine
Posner, I.; White, A.A.; Edwards, W.T.; Hayes, W.C.
Spine 7(4): 374-389
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0362-2436 PMID: 7135070 Document Number: 194812
Eighteen functional spinal units (FSU), representing 3 levels of human lumbar and lumbosacral spine, were tested using preload forces that corresponded to the clinical situation of a person lying supine or standing while subjected to maximum physiologic flexion or extension forces. Sagittal plane displacements were measured using linear variable differential transfomers (LVDT) and a MINC-11/03 minicomputer. Sequential transection of components in the posterior-to-anterior and anterior-to-posterior directions until failure occurred allowed measurements of the displacement sagittal plane translation and rotation of the intact and transected FSU.