Author:
Schuermans Valérie N. E.,Smeets Anouk Y. J. M.,Breen Alexander,Branney Jonathan,Curfs Inez,van Santbrink Henk,Boselie Toon F. M.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The term ‘physiological motion of the spine’ is commonly used although no proper definition exists. Previous work has revealed a consistent sequence of cervical segmental contributions in 80–90% of young healthy individuals. Age has been shown to be associated with a decreased quantity of motion. Therefore, it is of interest to study whether this sequence persists throughout aging.
The aim of this prospective cohort study is to investigate if the consistent sequence of cervical segmental contributions in young asymptomatic individuals remains present in elderly asymptomatic individuals.
Methods
In this prospective cohort study, dynamic flexion to extension cinematographic recordings of the cervical spine were made in asymptomatic individuals aged 55–70 years old. Individuals without neck pain and without severe degenerative changes were included. Two recordings were made in each individual with a 2-to-4-week interval (T1 and T2). Segmental rotation of each individual segment between C4 and C7 was calculated to determine the sequence of segmental contributions. Secondary outcomes were segmental range of motion (sRoM) and sagittal alignment.
Results
Ten individuals, with an average age of 61 years, were included. The predefined consistent sequence of segmental contributions was found in 10% of the individuals at T1 and 0% at T2. sRoM and total range of motion (tRoM) were low in all participants. There was no statistically significant correlation between sagittal alignment, degeneration and sRoM in the respective segments, nor between cervical lordosis and tRoM.
Conclusions
This study shows that aging is associated with loss of the consistent motion pattern that was observed in young asymptomatic individuals. The altered contribution of the cervical segments during extension did not appear to be correlated to the degree of degeneration or sagittal alignment.
Trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov NCT04222777, registered 10.01.2020.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference39 articles.
1. Lind B, Sihlbom H, Nordwall A, Malchau H. Normal range of motion of the cervical spine. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1989;70(9):692–5.
2. Lindenmann S, Tsagkaris C, Farshad M, Widmer J. Kinematics of the Cervical Spine Under Healthy and Degenerative Conditions: A Systematic Review. Ann Biomed Eng. 2022;50(12):1705–33.
3. Frobin W, Leivseth G, Biggemann M, Brinckmann P. Sagittal plane segmental motion of the cervical spine A new precision measurement protocol and normal motion data of healthy adults. Clin Biomech (Bristol,Avon). 2002;17(1):21–31.
4. Wu S-K, Kuo L-C, Lan H-CH, Tsai S-W, Chen C-L, Su F-C. The quantitative measurements of the intervertebral angulation and translation during cervical flexion and extension. Eur spine J Off Publ Eur Spine Soc Eur Spinal Deform Soc Eur Sect Cerv Spine Res Soc. 2007;16(9):1435–44.
5. Bogduk N, Mercer S. Biomechanics of the cervical spine. I: Normal kinematics Clin Biomech (Bristol,Avon). 2000;15(9):633–48.