Kinematics of the Cervical Spine in Lateral Bending

Authors:
  • YMYoshihiro Mukai
    Yoshihiro Mukai
  • NHNoboru Hosono
    Noboru Hosono
  • HSHironobu Sakaura
    Hironobu Sakaura
  • RFRyutaro Fujii
    Ryutaro Fujii
  • YNYoshikazu Nakajima
    Yoshikazu Nakajima
  • STShinichi Tamura
    Shinichi Tamura
  • MIMotoki Iwasaki
    Motoki Iwasaki
  • HYHideki Yoshikawa
    Hideki Yoshikawa
  • KSKazuomi Sugamoto
    Kazuomi Sugamoto
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Abstract
Kinematics of the cervical spine during lateral bending were investigated using a novel system of three-dimensional motion analysis. To demonstrate in vivo intervertebral coupled motions of the cervical spine during lateral bending of the neck. No previous studies have successfully documented in vivo three-dimensional intervertebral motions of the cervical spine during lateral bending. Twelve healthy volunteers underwent three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine in 7 positions with 10° increments of lateral bending. Relative motions of the cervical spine were calculated automatically by superimposing a segmented three-dimensional-MRI of the vertebra in the neutral position over images of each position using volume registration. Mean maximum lateral bending of the cervical spine to one side was 1.6° to 5.7° at each level. Coupled axial rotation opposite to lateral bending was observed in the upper cervical levels (Oc-C1, 0.2°; C1–C2, 17.1°), while in the subaxial cervical levels, it was observed in the same direction as lateral bending except for at C7–T1. Coupled flexion-extension motion was small at all vertebral levels (<1.1°). We succeeded in identifying in vivo coupled motions of the cervical spine in lateral bending for the first time.

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