Conduction characteristics of human lumbar facet joint pressures during simulated spinal manipulationversusspinal mobilization / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The aim of spinal mobilization and spinal manipulation is to correct vertebral subluxation. However, facet joint pressures are not clear during these two therapies. OBJECTIVE:To compare human lumbar facet joint pressures during simulated high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulationversuslow-velocity, low-amplitude spinal mobilization. METHODS:Totaly 12 adult fresh lumbar spinal specimens (T12-S2) were divided into two groups randomly. Parameters of simulated spinal mobilization (n=6) preload angle 15° (speed 3°/s), maximum angle 20° (speed 1°/s), with 9 N horizontal force to L5 spinous process. Parameters of simulated spinal manipulation (n=6) preload angle 15° (speed 3°/s), impulse angle 20° (impulse speed 33°/s), with 22 N horizontal force to L5 spinous process. Pressures of bilateral L4-5/L5-S1 facet joints were measured with Tekscan system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) During two spinal manipulative therapies (rotation to the right and then back to the neutral position), pressures of right facet joints decreased first and then increased gradualy, while pressures of left facet joints changed oppositely. (2) Pressures of right facet joints were similar regardless of manipulation type (P > 0.05). The maximum pressure of left facet joints was larger during manipulation than that during mobilization (P 0.05). Both ascending and descending speeds of the left facet joints were larger during manipulation than that during mobilization (P < 0.01). (4) During two spinal manipulative therapies, pressures of ipsilateral facet joints decreased first and then increased, while pressures of contralateral facet joints increased first and then decreased. Joint pressure after treatment restored to that before treatment. (5) Impulse speed and magnitude of pressures of facet joints during manipulation were larger than that during mobilization. Facet joints are more possible to be injured during manipulation than that during mobilization. During manipulation, we should pay attention to the speed and intensity of the impact.