In vitro upper cervical spine kinematics: rotation with combined movements and its variation after alar ligament transection

Lorente, Ana I ; Hidalgo García, César (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Fanlo Mazas, Pablo (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Rodríguez Sanz, Jacobo ; López de Celis, Carlos ; Krauss,John ; Maza Frechín, Mario ; Tricás Moreno, José Miguel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Pérez Bellmunt, Albert

Resumen: Previous studies indicate that maximum upper cervical axial rotation occurs only through a combination of
transverse, frontal, and sagittal plane motions. This study explores the relationship between transection of the
alar ligament and combined upper cervical axial rotation movements. Ten cryopreserved upper cervical spines
were manually mobilized in bilateral axial rotation and two different motion combinations with simultaneous
motion in the three anatomical planes: rotation in extension (extension + axial rotation + contralateral lateral
bending) and rotation in flexion (flexion + axial rotation + ipsilateral lateral bending). These three motions were
performed before and after right alar ligament transection. The occiput-axis axial rotation was measured using an
optical motion capture system while measuring the applied load. With intact alar ligament, the axial rotation in
flexion showed the lowest range of motion (right, R: 9.81 ± 3.89◦; left, L: 15.54 ± 5.89◦). Similar results were
found between the other two mobilizations: axial rotation (R: 33.87 ± 6.64◦; L: 27.99 ± 6.90◦) and rotation in
extension (R: 35.15 ± 5.97◦; L: 28.96 ± 6.47◦). After right alar ligament transection, rotation in flexion
(particularly in left rotation) showed the largest increase in motion: rotation in flexion (R: 13.78 ± 9.63◦; L:
23.04 ± 5.59◦), rotation in extension (R: 36.39 ± 7.10◦; L: 31.71 ± 7.67◦), and axial rotation (R: 38.50 ± 9.47◦;
L: 31.59 ± 6.55◦). Different combinations of movements should be evaluated when analyzing the maximum axial
rotation of the upper cervical spine, as axial rotation alone and rotation in extension showed a larger range of
motion than rotation in flexion. After unilateral alar ligament injury, rotation to the non-injured side in flexion
demonstrates the most movement increase.

Idioma: Inglés

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Journal of Biomechanics 130 (2022), 110872 [9 pp.]
ISSN: 0021-9290

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T38-17R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Fisioterapia (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)