Increased Injury to Vertebrae Adjacent to Fused Segments
October 26, 200958 views
American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals
AAMLP
In each issue, a clinical topic will be covered by the Academy, which is a national, non-profit organization, comprised of doctors and lawyers. The purpose of the organization is to provide its members with current research in trauma and spinal related topics, to keep the profession on the cutting edge of healthcare. Members may also sit for a Diplomate examination and be conferred a DAAMLP. The organization also offers support to the individual member’s practice. To learn more go to www.aamlp.org or call 716-228-3847.
Increased Injury to Vertebrae Adjacent to Fused Segments
USE: To increase understanding of traumatic effects on the cervical spine of patients that have undergone single and double level fusion
TITLE: Biomechanics of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament During 8 g Whiplash Simulation Following Single and Contiguous Two-Level Fusion
CITATION: SPINE Volume 33, Number 6, pp 607–611 ©2008
AUTHORS: Alan B. C. Dang, MD, Serena S. Hu, MD, and Bobby K.-B. Tay, MD
When a clinician is evaluating a traumatically injured victim there are many factors to consider when determining prognosis and diagnosis. Tthe most important are changes in the structure and function of the cervical spine including surgical interventions, specifically fusions. When determining causality in relation to a cervical spine injury in patients with prior surgical fusion, a very recent article published in Spine by Dang et al 2008 may shed some light on this complex scenario. Recognized internationally as the leading journal in its field, Spine is an international, peer-reviewed, bi-weekly periodical that considers for publication original articles in the field of spine care. It is the leading subspecialty journal for the treatment of spinal disorders. Only original papers are considered for publication with the understanding that they are contributed solely to Spine. The Journal does not publish articles reporting material that has been reported at length elsewhere.
This study specifically addressed how cervical fusion alters the peak strain of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL) in the adjacent motor segments. Past hypotheses have pointed out that due to decrease in flexibility in the cervical spine the segments above and below the fused area are more susceptible to injury. The study used cadaveric specimens because “anthropomorphic dummies lack accurate soft tissue representation, only cadaveric specimens or mathematical models are appropriate to evaluate the ALL.” pp 607. The ALL strain was tested at 8g whiplash.
This study quantified the increase in peak ALL strain during 8g acceleration simulated whiplash in a single-level and 2-level fusion in a healthy spine. “The increase in peak ALL strain in the adjacent motion segments is greater with 2-level fusion than it is with single-level fusion (40.8% vs. 15.5%)” pp610. In conclusion, this study demonstrates “Two-level fusion produced greater increases in peak ligament strain when compared with single level fusion at the adjacent motion segments.” pp 610
Injury to the ligaments surrounding the cervical spine result in permanent injury with long term consequences. When diagnosing traumatically injured patients with a past medical history of surgical fusion, look to the areas adjacent to the fused segments for answers to chronic pain and muscle spasm.
Reviewed by
William J. Owens, Jr. DC DAAMLP
President – American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals