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Summary of background data: Simulating compressive action of muscles, a follower load attends to reproduce a more physiological biomechanical behaviour of the cervical spine. Only few experimental studies reported its influence on kinematics and intradiscal pressure in the cervical spine. Study design: In vitro human cadaveric and numerical simulating evaluation of a compressive preload in the cervical spine. Objectives: To analyse the influence of a compressive follower preload on the biomechanical behaviour of the cervical spine. Methods: The present study was divided into two parts: part 1: in vitro investigation; part 2: numerical simulating analysis. Part 1: Twelve human cadaveric spines from C2 to T2 were evaluated intact and after application of a 50-N follower load. All tests were performed under load control by applying pure moments loading of 2 Nm in flexion/extension (FE), axial rotation (AR) and lateral bending (LB). Three-dimensional displacements were measured using an optoelectronic system, and intradiscal pressures were measured at two levels. Part 2: Using a 3D finite element model, we evaluated the influence of a 50- and 100-N compressive preload on intradiscal loads, facets forces and ranges of motion. Different positions of the follower load along the anteroposterior axis (±5 mm) were also simulated. Results: Part 1: Mean variation of cervical lordosis was 5° ± 3°. The ROM slightly increased in FE, whereas it consistently decreased in AR and LB. Coupled lateral bending during AR was also reduced. Increase in hysteresis was observed on load-displacement curves only for AR and LB. Intradiscal pressures increased, but the aspect of load-pressure curves was altered in AR and LB. Part 2: Using the FE model, only minimal changes in ROM were noted following the simulation of a 50-N compressive load for the three loading conditions. Compared to intact condition, <10 % variation was observed with regard to the different magnitude and positioning simulated. Intradiscal loads and facets forces were systematically increased by applying compressive preload. Conclusions: Although the follower load represents an attractive option to apply compressive preload during experimental tests, we found that this method could affect the native biomechanical behaviour of spine specimen depending on which movement was considered. Only minimal effects were observed in FE, whereas significant changes in kinematics and intradiscal pressures were observed for AR and LB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aging spine is characterized by facet joints arthritis, degenerative disc disease, bone remodeling and atrophy of extensor muscles resulting in a progressive kyphosis of the lumbar spine. Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the different compensatory mechanisms for patients with severe degenerative lumbar spine. Material and methods: According to the severity of the imbalance, three stages are observed: balanced, balanced with compensatory mechanisms and imbalanced. For the two last stages, the compensatory mechanisms permit to limit the consequences of loss of lumbar lordosis on global sagittal alignment and therefore contribute to keep the sagittal balance of the spine. Results: The basic concept is to extend adjacent segments of the kyphotic spine allowing for compensation of the sagittal unbalance but potentially inducing adverse effects. Conclusion: Finally, we propose a three-step algorithm to analyze the global balance status and take into consideration the presence of the compensatory mechanisms in the spinal, pelvic and lower limb areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the study was to report radiological outcomes after total disc replacement (TDR) in the cervical spine through a 24 months follow-up (FU) prospective study with a special focus on sagittal alignment and kinematics at instrumented and adjacent levels. Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients, who sustained one-level TDR with a ball-and-socket arthroplasty (Discocerv implant, Scient'x/Alphatec Spine, USA) were consecutively included in the study. Clinical (visual analogical scale and neck disability index) and radiological parameters were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 3/6 months, 1-year and 2-year FU. Sagittal alignment, ranges of motion (ROM) and center of rotations (CORs) were analyzed using specific motion analysis software (Spineview, Paris, France). Patients CORs were compared with those of a control group of 39 normal and asymptomatic subjects. Results: Both local and C3-C7 lordosis significantly increased postoperatively (+8° and +13° at 2 years, respectively). At instrumented level ROM in flexion-extension (FE) was measured to 10.2° preoperatively versus 7.5° at 1 year and 6.1° at 2 years. There were no differences in ROM at adjacent levels between pre and postoperative assessments. When compared with control group and preoperative measurements, we noted postoperative cranial shift of the COR at instrumented level for patients group. In contrast, there was no difference in CORs location at adjacent levels. Conclusion: Through this prospective study, we observed that cervical lordosis consistently increased after TDR. In addition, although ball-and-socket arthroplasty did not fully restore native segmental kinematics with significant reduction of motion in FE and consistent cranial shift of the COR, no significant changes in terms of ROM and CORs were observed at adjacent levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]