Repeated High Rate Facet Capsular Stretch at Strains That are Below the Pain Threshold Induces Pain and Spinal Inflammation With Decreased Ligament Strength in the Rat.

Repeated loading of ligamentous tissues during repetitive occupational and physical tasks even within physiological ranges of motion has been implicated in the development of pain and joint instability. The pathophysiological mechanisms of pain after repetitive joint loading are not understood. Within the cervical spine, excessive stretch of the facet joint and its capsular ligament has been implicated in the development of pain.