Passive intervertebral motion characteristics in chronic mid to low back pain: A multivariate analysis.

Purpose: Studies comparing back pain patients and controls on continuous intervertebral kinematics have shown differences using univariate parameters. Hitherto, multivariate approaches have not been applied to this high dimensional data, risking clinically relevant features being undetected. A multivariate re-analysis was carried out to estimate main modes of variation, and explore group differences.

An in vivo study exploring correlations between early-to-moderate disc degeneration and flexion mobility in the lumbar spine.

Purpose: Early disc degeneration (DD) has been thought to be associated with loss of spine stability. However, before this can be understood in relation to back pain, it is necessary to know the relationship between DD and intervertebral motion in people without pain. This study aimed to find out if early-to-moderate DD is associated with intervertebral motion in people without back pain.

Intrasubject repeatability of in vivo intervertebral motion parameters using quantitative fluoroscopy.

Purpose: In vivo quantification of intervertebral motion through imaging has progressed to a point where biomarkers for low back pain are emerging. This makes possible deeper study of the condition's biometrics. However, the measurement of change over time involves error.

Aberrant intervertebral motion in patients with treatment-resistant nonspecific low back pain: a retrospective cohort study and control comparison.

Purpose: Intervertebral kinematic assessments have been used to investigate mechanical causes when back pain is resistant to treatment, and recent studies have identified intervertebral motion markers that discriminate patients from controls. However, such patients are a heterogeneous group, some of whom have structural disruption, but the effects of this on intervertebral kinematics are unknown.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with treatment-resistant back pain referred for quantitative fluoroscopy were matched to an equal number of pain-free controls for age and sex.

Proportional lumbar spine inter-vertebral motion patterns: a comparison of patients with chronic, non-specific low back pain and healthy controls.

Introduction: Identifying biomechanical subgroups in chronic, non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) populations from inter-vertebral displacements has proven elusive. Quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) has excellent repeatability and provides continuous standardised inter-vertebral kinematic data from fluoroscopic sequences allowing assessment of mid-range motion. The aim of this study was to determine whether proportional continuous IV rotational patterns were different in patients and controls.

Ionizing radiation exposure and the development of intervertebral disc degeneration--no case to answer.

In the following perspective article, Mellor and Breen provide a counterpoint to a previous perspective on the potential link between ionizing radiation exposure and intervertebral disc degeneration in humans [1]. The previous perspective asked, is this link a myth or reality? It suggested the potential for such a link. Mellor and Breen offer a drastically alternate view, in essence, that the question itself is flawed.

Measurement of intervertebral motion using quantitative fluoroscopy: report of an international forum and proposal for use in the assessment of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine.

Quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) is an emerging technology for measuring intervertebral motion patterns to investigate problem back pain and degenerative disc disease. This International Forum was a networking event of three research groups (UK, US, Hong Kong), over three days in San Francisco in August 2009. Its aim was to reach a consensus on how best to record, analyse, and communicate QF information for research and clinical purposes.

Midlumbar lateral flexion stability measured in healthy volunteers by in vivo fluoroscopy.

Study Design: Prospective fluoroscopic and electromyographic study of coronal plane lumbar spine motion in healthy male volunteers.

Objectives: Assess the intervertebral motion profiles in healthy volunteers for symmetry, regularity, and neutral zone laxity during passive recumbent lateral bending motion.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous continuous in vivo motion studies of the lumbar spine have mainly been limited to active, weight-bearing, flexion-extension (sagittal plane) motion.

An objective spinal motion imaging assessment (OSMIA): reliability, accuracy and exposure data.

Background: Minimally-invasive measurement of continuous inter-vertebral motion in clinical settings is difficult to achieve. This paper describes the reliability, validity and radiation exposure levels in a new Objective Spinal Motion Imaging Assessment system (OSMIA) based on low-dose fluoroscopy and image processing.

Methods: Fluoroscopic sequences in coronal and sagittal planes were obtained from 2 calibration models using dry lumbar vertebrae, plus the lumbar spines of 30 asymptomatic volunteers.