The three-dimensional cervical spine motion can be measured precisely in vivo with submillimeter accuracy during functional loading without bead implantation, according to a study published in Spine.
Researchers studied three patients with 1 millimeter-diameter tantalum beads implanted into their fused and adjacent vertebrae during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. High-resolution CT scans taken after surgery were used to create subject-specific 3D models of each cervical vertebra. The researchers also collected biplane x-ray images at 30 frames per second while the patient performed flexion/extension and axial rotation movements six months after surgery.
Precision in measuring 3D joint kinematics in fused and adjacent segments averaged 0.4 millimeters for translations and 1.1 degrees for rotations. The anterior and posterior disc height above and below the fusion were measured with a precision ranging between 0.2 and 0.4 millimeters. The variability in 3D joint kinematics was 0.02 millimeters in translation and 0.06 degrees in rotation.
Fusion instruments did not diminish the accuracy of kinematic and arthrokinematic results.
Read the abstract on in vivo 3D movement in the cervical spine.
Read other coverage on the cervical spine:
- 5 Points on Cervical Spine Surgery
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Treatment of Cervical Spine
- Study: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Successful Using PEEK Cages
Researchers studied three patients with 1 millimeter-diameter tantalum beads implanted into their fused and adjacent vertebrae during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. High-resolution CT scans taken after surgery were used to create subject-specific 3D models of each cervical vertebra. The researchers also collected biplane x-ray images at 30 frames per second while the patient performed flexion/extension and axial rotation movements six months after surgery.
Precision in measuring 3D joint kinematics in fused and adjacent segments averaged 0.4 millimeters for translations and 1.1 degrees for rotations. The anterior and posterior disc height above and below the fusion were measured with a precision ranging between 0.2 and 0.4 millimeters. The variability in 3D joint kinematics was 0.02 millimeters in translation and 0.06 degrees in rotation.
Fusion instruments did not diminish the accuracy of kinematic and arthrokinematic results.
Read the abstract on in vivo 3D movement in the cervical spine.
Read other coverage on the cervical spine:
- 5 Points on Cervical Spine Surgery
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Treatment of Cervical Spine
- Study: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Successful Using PEEK Cages