The role of articular facets during +G<sub>z</sub> acceleration

Prasad, P.<sup>1</sup>; King, A. I.<sup>1,2</sup>; Ewing, C. L.<sup>3</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.

²Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.

³Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Code L 65, Michoud Station, New Orleans, La.

Abstract

Experimental evidence is presented to document the load-bearing capability of the articular facets which join the vertebrae of the spine together posteriorly. Contrary to the general opinion that these facets carry no vertical load, this paper gives qualitative as well as quantitative data to show that there exists a dual load path along the vertebral column. Extensively instrumented human cadavers were used as test subjects. Strain gages were used to provide qualitative evidence of facets load while a unique intervertebral load cell supplied quantitative information of the load-bearing role of the facets. The results of this study led to a clearer understanding of the mechanism of injury to the vertebral column during +Gz impact acceleration.

Links

DOI: 10.1115/1.3423284

WoS: A1974T333000001

History

Received: 1973-08

Revised: 1973-11

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Cited By (36)

Year	Entry
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2015	Cavanaugh JM, Chen C, Kallakuri S. Thoracolumbar pain: neural mechanisms and biomechanics. In: Yoganandan N, Nahum AM, Melvin JW, eds. Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2015:581-609.
1989	Pintar F, Sances A Jr, Yoganandan N, Reinartz JM, Larson SJ, Kurakami C, Rauschning W. Injury biomechanics of the head-neck complex. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). May 29–June 1, 1989; Göteborg, Sweden.634-644.
1992	Osvalder A-L, Neumann P, Lövsund P, Nordwall A. Dynamic load response of the in vitro lumbar spine in flexion. In: Proceedings of the 1992 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 9-11, 1992; Verona, Italy.239-251.
1993	Osvalder A-L, Neumann P. Dynamic load response of the lumbar spine in flexion. In: Proceedings of the 1993 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 8-10, 1993; Eindhoven, The Netherlands.145-158.
1994	Jakobsson L, Norin H, Jernström C, Svensson S-E, Johnsén P, Isaksson-Hellman I, Svensson MY. Analysis of different head and neck responses in rear-end car collisions using a new human-like mathematical model. In: Proceedings of the 1994 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 21-23, 1994; Lyon, France.109-125.
1999	Demetropoulos CK, Yang KH, Grimm MJ, Artham KK, King AI. High rate mechanical properties of the Hybrid III and cadaveric lumbar spines in flexion and extension. In: Proceedings of the 43rd Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 25-27, 1999; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:279-294. SAE 99SC18.
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1989	Yoganandan N, Sances A, Pintar F. Biomechanical evaluation of the axial compressive responses of the human cadaveric and manikin necks. J Biomech Eng. August 1989;111(3):250-255.
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1986	Yoganandan N, Sances A Jr, Maiman DJ, Myklebust JB, Pech P, Larson SJ. Experimental spinal injuries with vertical impact. Spine. November 1986;11(9):855-860.
2001	Cao KD, Grimm MJ, Yang K-H. Load sharing within a human lumbar vertebral body using the finite element method. Spine. June 5, 2001;26(12):E253-E260.
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2017	Schmidt AL. Assessing the Injury Tolerance of the Human Spine [PhD thesis]. Duke University; 2017.
2016	Spurrier EJ. Spinal Injury in Underbody Blast [MD thesis]. Imperial College London; 2016.
1985	Yoganandan N. Mechanical Factors and the Threshold of Trauma of the Intervertebral Joint: A Finite Element Analysis With Experimental Validation [PhD thesis]. Marquette University; December 1985.
2011	Storvik SG. Development of an Experimental Model to Quantify Lumbar Spine Kinematics During Military Seat Ejection [Master's thesis]. Marquette University; August 2011.
1981	Tencer A. The Mechanical Properties of the Human Lumbar Spine [PhD thesis]. McGill University; April 1981.
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2002	Giacomin JA. An Experimental Investigation of the Vibrational Comfort of Child Safety Seats [PhD thesis]. University of Sheffield; December 2002.
1985	Deng Y-C. Human Head Neck Upper-Torso Model Response to Dynamic Loading [PhD thesis]. Berkeley, CA: Berkeley, University of California; 1985.
1997	Yingling VR. Shear Loading of the Lumbar Spine: Modulators of Motion Segment Tolerance and the Resulting Injuries [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 1997.
1976	Hakim NSA. An Experimental Study and Finite-Element Analysis of the Mechanical Response of a Vertebra [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; 1976.
1976	Tennyson SA. The Response of Spinal Musculature During +G_Z Acceleration [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; 1976.
1985	Yang KH. An Experimental and Analytical Study of the Mechanism of Facet Load Transmission [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; May 1985.
2005	Cao KD. Development of a 4-Vertebrae, Detailed Finite Element Model of Thoracolumbar Spine [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; August 2005.
2019	Somasundaram K. Development of Spine Injury Mechanisms, Response Corridors and Computational Human Model to Assess Mounted Occupant Injury During Underbody Blast Loading [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; August 2019.