Clinical efficacy of radiofrequency cervical zygapophyseal neurotomy in patients with chronic cervicogenic headache

The purpose of the present study was to assess the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) cervical zygapophyseal joint neurotomy in patients with cervicogenic headache. A total of thirty consecutive patients suffering from chronic cervicogenic headaches for longer than 6 months and showing a pain relief by greater than 50% from diagnostic/prognostic blocks were included in the study. These patients were treated with RF neurotomy of the cervical zygapophyseal joints and were subsequently assessed at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and at 12 months following the treatment. The results of this study showed that RF neurotomy of the cervical zygapophyseal joints significantly reduced the headache severity in 22 patients (73.3%) at 12 months after the treatment. In conclusion, RF cervical zygapophyseal joint neurotomy has shown to provide substantial pain relief in patients with chronic cervicogenic headache when carefully selected.     

Two-Year Follow-Up Results of Fluoroscopic Cervical Epidural Injections in Chronic Axial or Discogenic Neck Pain: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Controlled Trial

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of cervical interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroids for the management of axial or discogenic pain in patients without disc herniation, radiculitis, or facet joint pain.Summary of Background Data: Cervical discogenic pain without disc herniation is a common cause of suffering and disability in the adult population. Once conservative management has failed and facet joint pain has been excluded, cervical epidural injections may be considered as a management tool. Despite a paucity of evidence, cervical epidural injections are one of the most commonly performed nonsurgical interventions in the management of chronic axial or disc-related neck pain.Methods: One hundred and twenty patients without disc herniation or radiculitis and negative for facet joint pain as determined by means of controlled diagnostic medial branch blocks were randomly assigned to one of the 2 treatment groups. Group I patients received cervical interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic (lidocaine 0.5%, 5 mL), whereas Group II patients received 0.5% lidocaine, 4 mL, mixed with 1 mL or 6 mg of nonparticulate betamethasone.The primary outcome measure was ≥ 50% improvement in pain and function. Outcome assessments included numeric rating scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), opioid intake, employment, and changes in weight.Results: Significant pain relief and functional improvement (≥ 50%) was present at the end of 2 years in 73% of patients receiving local anesthetic only and 70% receiving local anesthetic with steroids. In the successful group of patients, however, defined as consistent relief with 2 initial injections of at least 3 weeks, significant improvement was illustrated in 78% in the local anesthetic group and 75% in the local anesthetic with steroid group at the end of 2 years. The results reported at the one-year follow-up were sustained at the 2-year follow-up.Conclusions: Cervical interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroids may provide significant improvement in pain and functioning in patients with chronic discogenic or axial pain that is function-limiting and not related to facet joint pain.     

Psychometric characteristics of the Korean version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire

The aims of this study were; 1) to develop the final version of the Korean Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), and 2) to compare the responsiveness between the RDQ and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores in patients having low back pain. The psychometric properties of the final Korean RDQ were evaluated in 221 patients. Among them, 30 patients were reliability tested. Validity was evaluated using an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Korean ODI. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the RDQ and the ODI was compared in 54 patients with lumbar zygapophyseal (facet) joint pain. There was a moderate relationship between the RDQ and NRS (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) and a strongly positive correlation between the RDQ and the ODI (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). The Korean RDQ with the higher area under the ROC curve showed a better overall responsive performance than did the ODI in patients with lumbar facet joint pain after medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (P < 0.01). The results of the study present the final version of the Korean RDQ is valid for assessing functional status in a Korean population with chronic low back pain.     

Evaluation of Lumbar Facet Joint Nerve Blocks in Managing Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Controlled Trial with a 2-Year Follow-Up

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.Objective: To determine the clinical effectiveness of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks with or without steroids in managing chronic low back pain of facet joint origin.Summary of Background Data: Lumbar facet joints have been shown as the source of chronic pain in 21% to 41% of low back patients with an average prevalence of 31% utilizing controlled comparative local anesthetic blocks. Intraarticular injections, medial branch blocks, and radiofrequency neurotomy of lumbar facet joint nerves have been described in the alleviation of chronic low back pain of facet joint origin.Methods: The study included 120 patients with 60 patients in each group with local anesthetic alone or local anesthetic and steroids. The inclusion criteria was based upon a positive response to diagnostic controlled, comparative local anesthetic lumbar facet joint blocks.Outcome measures included the numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), opioid intake, and work status, at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.Results: Significant improvement with significant pain relief of ≥ 50% and functional improvement of ≥ 40% were observed in 85% in Group 1, and 90% in Group II, at 2-year follow-up.The patients in the study experienced significant pain relief for 82 to 84 weeks of 104 weeks, requiring approximately 5 to 6 treatments with an average relief of 19 weeks per episode of treatment.Conclusions: Therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks, with or without steroids, may provide a management option for chronic function-limiting low back pain of facet joint origin.     

Analysis of Efficacy Differences between Caudal and Lumbar Interlaminar Epidural Injections in Chronic Lumbar Axial Discogenic Pain: Local Anesthetic Alone vs. Local Combined with Steroids

Study Design: Comparative assessment of randomized controlled trials of caudal and lumbar interlaminar epidural injections in chronic lumbar discogenic pain.Objective: To assess the comparative efficacy of caudal and lumbar interlaminar approaches of epidural injections in managing axial or discogenic low back pain.Summary of Background Data: Epidural injections are commonly performed utilizing either a caudal or lumbar interlaminar approach to treat chronic lumbar axial or discogenic pain, which is pain exclusive of that associated with a herniated intervertebral disc, or that is due to degeneration of the zygapophyseal joints, or due to dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints, respectively. The literature on the efficacy of epidural injections in managing chronic axial lumbar pain of presumed discogenic origin is limited.Methods: The present analysis is based on 2 randomized controlled trials of chronic axial low back pain not caused by disc herniation, radiculitis, or facet joint pain, utilizing either a caudal or lumbar interlaminar approach, with a total of 240 patients studied, and a 24-month follow-up. Patients were assigned to receive either local anesthetic only or local anesthetic with a steroid in each 60 patient group.Results: The primary outcome measure was significant improvement, defined as pain relief and functional status improvement of at least 50% from baseline, which was reported at 24-month follow-ups in 72% who received local anesthetic only with a lumbar interlaminar approach and 54% who received local anesthetic only with a caudal approach. In patients receiving local anesthetic with a steroid, the response rate was 67% for those who had a lumbar interlaminar approach and 68% for those who had a caudal approach at 12 months. The response was significantly better in the lumbar interlaminar group who received local anesthetic only, 77% versus 56% at 12 months and 72% versus 54% at 24 months.Conclusion: This assessment shows that in patients with axial or discogenic pain in the lumbar spine after excluding facet joint and SI Joint pain, epidural injections of local anesthetic by the caudal or lumbar interlaminar approach may be effective in managing chronic low back pain with a potential superiority for a lumbar interlaminar approach over a caudal approach.     

A controlled trial of corticosteroid injections into facet joints for chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND. Chronic low back pain is a common problem with many treatments, few of which have been rigorously evaluated. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of injections of corticosteroid into facet joints to treat chronic low back pain. METHODS. Patients with chronic low back pain who reported immediate relief of their pain after injections of local anesthetic into the facet joints between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae and the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae were randomly assigned to receive under fluoroscopic guidance injections of either methylprednisolone acetate (20 mg; n = 49) or isotonic saline (n = 48) in the same facet joints. Ninety-five patients were followed for six months and their condition assessed with scales of pain severity, back mobility, and limitation of function. RESULTS. After one month, none of the outcome measures evaluating pain, functional status, and back flexion differed clinically or statistically between the two study groups. Forty-two percent of the patients who received methylprednisolone and 33 percent of those who received placebo reported marked or very marked improvement (95 percent confidence interval for the difference, -11 to 28 percentage points; P = 0.53). The results were similar after three months. At the six-month evaluation, the patients treated with methylprednisolone reported more improvement, less pain on the visual-analogue scale, and less physical disability. The differences were reduced, however, when concurrent interventions were taken into account. Moreover, only 11 patients (22 percent) in the methylprednisolone group and 5 (10 percent) in the placebo group had sustained improvement from the first month to the sixth month (95 percent confidence interval for the difference, -2 to 26; P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS. We conclude that injecting methylprednisolone acetate into the facet joints is of little value in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.     

盐酸氨基葡萄糖联合非类固醇类抗炎药治疗小关节退变伴下腰痛

背景：盐酸葡萄糖胺对骨关节炎的治疗作用在膝关节已经得到证实,然而盐酸氨基葡萄糖与非类固醇类抗炎药物联用的治疗腰背痛鲜有报道。 目的：探讨盐酸氨基葡萄糖与小剂量非类固醇类抗炎药物联用治疗腰椎小关节退变伴下腰痛的临床效果。 方法：纳入35例小关节退变伴下腰痛患者,给予口服盐酸氨基葡萄糖750 mg,2次/d,外加双氯酚酸钠缓释片75 mg,1次/d,周期8周。使用Oswestry残疾指数、目测类比疼痛评分和SF-36量表在治疗前,治疗完成时和完成治疗后8周进行评估。 结果与结论：33例完成最终的随访,男女比例为1∶2,平均(41.2±10.3)岁。经过治疗,患者的腰痛和腿痛症状,腰椎功能和生活质量均有显著改善和提高(P < 0.05)。提示,盐酸氨基葡萄糖与小剂量非类固醇类抗炎药物联用对小关节退变伴腰痛患者有一定治疗作用。     

Image-guided facet joint injection

Chronic spine pain poses a peculiar diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to multiple pain sources, overlapping clinical features and nonspecific radiological findings. Facet joint injection is an interventional pain management tool for facet-related spinal pain that can be effectively administered by a radiologist. This technique is the gold standard for identifying facet joints as the source of spinal pain. The major indications for facet injections include strong clinical suspicion of the facet syndrome, focal tenderness over the facet joints, low back pain with normal radiological findings, post-laminectomy syndrome with no evidence of arachnoiditis or recurrent disc disease, and persistent low back pain after spinal fusion. The contraindications are more ancillary, with none being absolute. Like any synovial joint degeneration, inflammation and injury can lead to pain on motion, initiating a vicious cycle of physical deconditioning, irritation of facet innervations and muscle spasm. Image-guided injection of local anesthetic and steroid into or around the facet joint aims to break this vicious cycle and thereby provide pain relief. This outpatient procedure has high diagnostic accuracy, safety and reproducibility but the therapeutic outcome is variable.     

大鼠颈脊神经节中降钙素基因相关肽免疫阳性神经元分支至颈椎关节突关节囊和前肢

目的探讨颈椎关节突关节疼痛综合征并发上臂痛的神经解剖学机制。方法以抗降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）抗体对SD大鼠C4-T1关节突关节囊作免疫组织化学染色。将荧光标记物快蓝（FB）和核黄（NY）分别注射到SD大鼠右侧桡神经和C1～T1颈椎关节突关节囊。显微镜下观察颈脊神经背根节（DRG）内被逆行荧光标记的神经元，再用抗CGRP抗体行免疫组织化学染色，观察DRG内的CGRP免疫阳性神经元。最后比较荧光照片和免疫组织化学照片上的神经元。结果C4～T1关节突关节囊上分布着丰富的CGRP免疫阳性神经纤维，它们或独立走行或交织成网。在C5～T1各节段的DRG中均可观测到被FB单标（76％）、NY单标（16％）和FB／NY双标（8％）的神经元。约40％的荧光逆行标记神经元在免疫组织化学染色的切片上呈CGRP免疫反应阳性。结论大鼠颈部DRG内一部分含GRP的感觉神经元的周围突分两支，一支支配颈椎关节突关节囊，另一支随桡神经分布到前（上）肢。提示，颈椎关节突关节疼痛综合征并发上臂牵涉痛的神经形态学基础之一可能发生在DRG水平。     

颈椎前路融合术中植骨块的高度对邻近节段关节突压力及椎间位移的影响

目的　探讨颈椎前路融合术中植骨块的高度对邻近节段关节突压力及活动度的影响,为临床上选择适宜的植骨高度提供依据。 方法 采用8例新鲜成人尸体颈椎标本,对完整状态,C5/6节段椎间隙减压术后（100%M、120%M、140%M、160%M)5组,于BOSE机加载下行三维运动,并测量颈C4/5,C6/7关节突压力值及C4/5,C6/7三维运动范围;最后将结果行多重比较分析。 结果 中立位状态下,关节突压力值各组无显著差异,P>0.05;后伸状态下,关节突压力值增加最大,各组有显著差异,P<0.05,但植骨高度中以120%M时关节突压力值增加最小,左右侧屈及左右旋转时,各组植骨高度之间差异均有显著意义,P<0.05,但植高度为120%M时,关节突压力值增加最小。在前屈后伸、左右侧屈下：120%M与完整状态相比,上下临近节段活动度差异无显著差异,P>0.05;与其他各组差异均有显著差异,P<0.05;2）在左右旋转时各组差异无显著差异,P>0.05。 结论　下颈椎单间隙减压植骨,撑开植骨理想高度为平均高度的120%。     

Osteophytes on the zygapophyseal (facet) joints of the cervical spine (C3–C7): A skeletal study

Previous studies have reported that osteophytes in the cervical vertebrae may cause immobility, neck stiffness, osteoarthritis, headaches, nerve entrapment syndromes, and compression of the vertebral artery. Our objective was to explore the osteophytes' expression on zygapophyseal joints C3–C7. This is a cross-sectional observational skeletal study. The study sample comprised 273 human skeletons of both sexes, aged 20–93, housed at the Natural History Museum, OH, USA. A grading system assessed the presence and severity of osteophytosis on the zygapophyseal joints. The chi-square test (SPSS 25.0) examined the association between osteophytes and demographic factors. The level of significance (α) was set at .05. The highest prevalence of osteophytes was found on C5 vertebra, the lowest on C7. On vertebrae C3, C4, C6, the rate of moderate and severe osteophytes found on the superior and inferior facets were comparable. Moderate and severe degrees of osteophytes were observed more frequently on the superior facets, whereas, on vertebra C7, osteophytes were found on the inferior facet joints. Osteophytes' prevalence was significantly higher in the elderly compared to the younger population. Osteophytes in the C3–C7 zygapophyseal joints are age-dependent. No significant sex and ethnic differences were observed. Vertebra C5 was most prone to develop osteophytes, most probably due to its location in the cervical lordotic peak, C5 in the superior ZF; C7 in the inferior ZF are significant (p = .05). The zygapophyseal joints of C7 were least frequent overall, yet, the C7 inferior facets had significantly more moderate–severe osteophytes compared to other cervical vertebrae.     

Facet Joint Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients With Cervical Radicular Pain due to Foraminal Stenosis: A Retrospective Comparative Study

BackgroundA cervical transforaminal epidural (TFE) steroid injection is a useful treatment option for cervical radicular pain, but it carries a small risk of catastrophic complications. Several studies have reported that cervical facet joint (FJ) steroid injection can reduce cervical radicular pain through an indirect epidural spread. The aim of this retrospective comparative study was to evaluate the pain scores and functional disability in subjects receiving cervical FJ or TFE steroid injection for the treatment of cervical radicular pain due to foraminal stenosis (FS).MethodsWe selected 278 patients 18 years of age and older who underwent cervical FJ (n = 130) or TFE (n= 148) steroid injection for cervical radicular pain. The primary outcomes included pain scores and functional disability during hospital visits one, three, and six months after the initial injection. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of responders and Medication Quantification Scale (MQS) scores. Adverse events and variables correlating with effectiveness one month after the initial injection were also evaluated.ResultsThe Numeric Rating Scale and Neck Disability Index scores showed a significant improvement one, three, and six months after the initial injection in both groups, with no significant differences between the groups. No significant differences were observed in the success rates of the procedure one, three, and six months after the initial injection for either group. There were no significant differences in MQS between the groups during the follow-up period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the injection method, age, sex, number of injections, FS severity, MQS, pain duration, and the presence of cervical disc herniation were not independent predictors of treatment success.ConclusionThe efficacy of FJ steroid injection may not be inferior to that of TFE steroid injection in patients with cervical radicular pain due to FS.     

成人颈椎小关节间隙穿刺路径的应用解剖 

目的 探讨颈椎小关节的关节类型、关节角大小、关节面倾角等,为临床行颈椎间隙穿刺提供可参考的路径。方法 采用正常成人脊柱标本38例（男27、女11）,通过断层解剖方法,从横断面上对C SUB>2-3/SUB>～C SUB>6-7/SUB>关节类型、关节角进行观测,并对40套成人椎骨标本的颈椎小关节关节面倾角及形态进行观测。结果C SUB>2-3/SUB>～C SUB>6-7/SUB>关节类型主要为平面椭圆形(79.2％)和曲面形(20.8％);自C2-3至C6-7颈椎关节突的关节角逐渐增大;关节面倾角CSUB>3/SUB>＞CSUB>4/SUB>＞CSUB>5/SUB>CSUB>6/SUB>CSUB>7/SUB>,倾角值呈     

颈椎小关节切除对颈椎稳定性影响的实验研究

比较正常颈椎标本和切除颈椎C5-6小关节标本的前屈、后伸、左侧弯、右侧弯、扭转等生物力学指标。确定小关节切除是否对颈椎稳定性造成影响。在日本岛津电子万能试验机上对正常和切除小关节的标本进行前屈、后伸、左侧弯、右侧弯实验,在扭转试验机上进行扭转实验。以2 mm/min的实验速度分别对标本施加载荷,测量位移数据。以50 mm/min的实验速度对标本施加扭矩,测得标本的扭转角。得出正常对照组和小关C5-6节切除标本的各项力学性能指标。小关节切除25%对各项运动范围无显著变化,小关节切除50%、75%、100%对各项运动范围显著增大。双侧小关节全切除后运动范围显著增大,较其它各组间差异显著(P<0.05)。小关节切除50%以上,尤其双侧小关节切除,打乱了颈椎的平衡关系,对颈椎的稳定性造成影响。     

Paraspinal abscess communicated with epidural abscess after extra-articular facet joint injection

Facet joint injection is considered to be a safe procedure. There have been some reported cases of facet joint pyogenic infection and also 3 cases of facet joint infection spreading to paraspinal muscle and epidural space due to intra-articular injections. To the author's knowledge, paraspinal and epidural abscesses after facet joint injection without facet joint pyogenic infection have not been reported. Here we report a case in which extra-articular facet joint injection resulted in paraspinal and epidural abscesses without facet joint infection. A 50-year-old man presenting with acute back pain and fever was admitted to the hospital. He had the history of diabetes mellitus and had undergone the extra-articular facet joint injection due to a facet joint syndrome diagnosis at a private clinic 5 days earlier. Physical examination showed tenderness over the paraspinal region. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) demonstrated the paraspinal abscess around the fourth and fifth spinous processes with an additional epidural abscess compressing the thecal sac. The facet joints were preserved. The laboratory results showed a white blood cell count of 14.9 x 10(9) per liter, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 52 mm/hour, and 10.88 mg/dL of C-reactive protein. Laminectomy and drainage were performed. The pus was found in the paraspinal muscles, which was communicated with the epidural space through a hole in the ligamentum flavum. Cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Paraspinal abscess communicated with epidural abscess is a rare complication of extra-articular facet joint injection demonstrating an abscess formation after an invasive procedure near the spine is highly possible.     

人工颈椎间盘置换术后邻近下位关节突关节压力变化的生物力学研究

目的:探讨人工颈椎间盘置换术后邻近下位关节突关节内压力的变化,为其在临床应用提供生物力学依据,方法:在11具保留C3至T1的新鲜成人颈椎标本上,采用自行设计的圆片状微阻电式传感器测量C5/6椎间盘完整、椎间盘摘除、人工椎间盘置换和椎间融合4个模型组C6/7关节突关节内的压力负荷.结果:人工椎间盘置换组C6/7关节突关节内的压力在轴向(16.98±3.74)N、左侧弯(26.87±5.78)N、右侧弯(12.91±3.50)N、前屈(20.88±5.77)N、后伸(20.63±5.30)N,与完整组接近,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),高于椎间盘摘除组(P<0.05),低于椎间融合组(P<0.05).结论:人工颈椎间盘置换后邻近下位关节突关节内的压力接近正常,提示人工椎间盘置换符合颈椎正常生物力学要求.     

Endoscopic Facet Debridement for the treatment of facet arthritic pain - a novel new technique

Study design: Retrospective, observational, open label.Objective: We investigated the efficacy of facet debridement for the treatment of facet joint pain.Summary of background data: Facet joint disease, often due to degenerative arthritis, is common cause of chronic back pain. In patients that don''t respond to conservative measures, nerve ablation may provide significant improvement. Due to the ability of peripheral nerves to regenerate, ablative techniques of the dorsal nerve roots often provide only temporary relief. In theory, ablation of the nerve end plates in the facet joint capsule should prevent reinnervation.Methods: All patients treated with endoscopic facet debridement at our clinic from 2003-2007 with at least 3 years follow-up were included in the analysis. Primary outcome measure was percent change in facet-related pain as measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at final follow-up visit.Results: A total of 174 people (77 women, 97 men; mean age 64, range 22-89) were included. Location of facet pain was cervical in 45, thoracic in 15, and lumbar in 114 patients. At final follow-up, 77%, 73%, and 68% of patients with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar disease, respectively, showed at least 50% improvement in pain. Mean operating time per joint was 17 minutes (range, 10-42). Mean blood loss was 40 ml (range, 10-100). Complications included suture failure in two patients, requiring reclosure of the incision. No infection or nerve damage beyond what was intended occurred.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a comparable efficacy of endoscopic facet debridement compared to radiofrequency ablation of the dorsal nerve branch, with durable results. Large scale, randomized trials are warranted to further evaluate the relative efficacy of this surgical treatment in patients with facet joint disease.     

Radiologic study of the influence of zygapophyseal joint orientation on spinal injuries at the thoracolumbar junction

The change from coronal to sagittal plane orientation of the zygapophyseal (facet) joints at the thoracolumbar junction, coupled with differences in lumbar and thoracic spine mobility, may predispose the T10 to L2 segments to injury. To test for an association between the level of injury and variations in orientation of the zygapophyseal joints, CT investigations of 44 spinal injured patients were studied. Of these, 28 sustained burst/compression fractures and 16 demonstrated a rotation injury with disruption to one or both zygapophyseal joints. Injuries were examined to determine whether more congruent "mortice" joints localised the segmental level of trauma. The Chi-square statistic was used: to compare the transitional characteristics of 44 clinical cases with a "normal" patient database (n = 630); to examine differences in transition patterns between the "compression" and "rotation" injury groups; and to compare the incidence of mortice joints between the clinical and normal series. A significant difference between the transition patterns of the clinical and normal series (p less than 0.001) appeared to account for the higher frequency of abrupt transitions in the 44 injury cases. No significant differences distinguished the transition patterns of the two injury groups. A higher incidence of mortice joints was demonstrated in the injury group compared with the normal population (p less than 0.02). These findings suggest that individuals with an abrupt transition have a greater predisposition to injuries at the thoracolumbar junction.     

C2～7颈椎振动特性的有限元分析

目的研究正常C2～7颈椎有限元模型的振动特性和颈椎小关节不同程度受损及切除的振动特性变化。方法基于颈椎CT扫描影像,建立正常C2～7颈椎有限元模型并验证有效性,提取前10阶固有频率和振型。颈椎小关节分别为无约束、有约束且摩擦系数分别为0.01、0.1和0.2,模拟颈椎小关节切除以及小关节轻度、中度、重度受损,研究颈椎受损程度不同对固有频率的影响。结果正常C2～7颈椎模型最低固有频率出现在后伸、侧弯振型,约为12Hz,大位移主要出现在寰椎齿凸。小关节有约束模型的固有频率高于无约束模型,小关节摩擦系数不同对颈椎固有频率无影响。结论研究颈椎的固有频率、振型和振幅等参数,是进一步研究颈椎动态特性的基础,对颈椎护理和治疗有重要意义。在生活和颈椎治疗中,应尽量避开12Hz环境,防止共振对颈椎造成大的损伤。     

Intra-articular synovial folds of thoracolumbar junction zygapophyseal joints

Transverse histological sections from T10-11, T11-12, T12-L1, and L1-2 zygapophyseal joints were examined in 32 post-mortem spines, using light microscopy, to record the presence of intra-articular synovial fold inclusions. In addition, three mid-joint sections from each joint were photographed using 35 mm colour film. From these slides, linear dimensions of the extent of intra-articular synovial fold projection between the zygapophyseal joints were measured using computer-aided planimetry. Small, fibrous folds were commonly found at the joint margins extending from the ligamentum flavum and the fibrous joint capsule. Larger, fibro-adipose synovial folds, projecting between the articular surfaces, were also noted, particularly at T12-L1 and L1-2.