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0 - Biomechanics of Lumbar Spine

This document discusses the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. It covers the articulations, kinematics including available movements and ranges of motion, kinetics including forces of compression and shear, and pathomechanics such as exaggerated lordosis, sway back, flat back posture, and intervertebral disc prolapse. Key points are that the lumbar spine flexes up to 50 degrees and extends up to 15 degrees, and its primary role is to provide support against the weight of the upper body and dynamic compressive loads from muscle contraction.

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CHAITANYA SAHITHI
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137 views25 pages

0 - Biomechanics of Lumbar Spine

This document discusses the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. It covers the articulations, kinematics including available movements and ranges of motion, kinetics including forces of compression and shear, and pathomechanics such as exaggerated lordosis, sway back, flat back posture, and intervertebral disc prolapse. Key points are that the lumbar spine flexes up to 50 degrees and extends up to 15 degrees, and its primary role is to provide support against the weight of the upper body and dynamic compressive loads from muscle contraction.

Uploaded by

CHAITANYA SAHITHI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BIOMECHANICS OF

LUMBAR SPINE
BY
N.CHAITANYA SAHITHI
BPT 8TH SEM
ARTICULATIONS
KINEMATICS
• Movements available:-Flexion, extension,Lateral flexion &side
rotation
• Gliding:-anterior to posterior,medial to lateral& torsional
• Tilt:- anterior to posterior, lateral directions
• Distraction & compression
LUMBAR RANGE OF MOTION

• Flexion:-50°
• Extension:-15°
• Axial rotation:-5°
• Lateral flexion:-20°
LUMBAR FLEXION
• More limited than extension
• Maximum motion occurs at lumbosacral joint
• Anterior tilting & gliding of superior vertebrae occurs
• Increases diameter of vertebral foramina
• Flexion generates compression forces on anterior side of disc
tending to migrate nucleus pulposus posteriorly
• Limited by tension in posterior annulus fibrosis and posterior
ligament system
LUMBAR EXTENSION

• Increase in lumbar lordosis


• Posterior tilting , gliding of superior vertebra
• Lumbar extension reduces the diameter of intervertebral
foramina
• Fewer ligaments checks extension
• During lumbar extension nucleus pulposus displaces anteriorly
LATERAL FLEXION

• Superior vertebra laterally tilts, rotates and


translates over vertebra below
• Annulus fibrosus is compressed on concavity
of curve and stretched on convex side
• Nucleus pulposus migrate slightly towards
convex side of bend
SPINAL ROTATION
• Rotation causes movement of vertebral arch in
opposite direction
• Ipsilateral facet joints go for gapping and
contralateral facet joints for impaction
• Axial rotation to right, between L1 and L2 for
instance, occurs as left inferior articular facet of L1
approximates or compresses against left superior
articular facet of L2
• Limited due to shape of zygapophyseal joints
• Also restricted by tension created in stretched capsule
of apophyseal joints and stretched fibres within annulus
fibrosus
• Amount of rotation available at each vertebral level is
affected by position of lumbar spine.
• When flexed, ROM in rotation is less than when in neutral
position
• The posterior anulus fibrosus and PLL limit axial rotation when
spine is flexed
• The largest lateral flexion ROM and axial rotation occurs
between L2 and L3
LUMBO PELVIC RHYTHM

• Lumbo-pelvic rhythm -The kinematic relationship


between lumbar spine and hip joints during sagittal
plane movements
• Bending forward- lumbar flexion (40 ⁰) followed by
anterior tilting of pelvis at hip joint (70 ⁰)
• Return to erect- posterior tilting at pelvis at hips
followed by extension of lumbar spine
• Bending forward- lumbar flexion 40° follwed by
anterior tilting of the pelvis at hip joint (70°)
• Return to the pelvis-posterior tilting at pelvis followed
by extension of lumbar spine
• Integration of motion of pelvis about hip joints
with motion of vertebral column:
- increases ROM available to total column –
reduces amount of flexibility required of lumbar
region
• Hip motion:
-eliminates need for full lumbar flexion, -
protecting anulus fibrosus and posterior ligaments
from being fully lengthened
KINETICS
COMPRESSION
• Lumbar region provides support for weight of upper part
of body in static as well as in dynamic situations
• Lumbar region must also withstand tremendous
compressive loads produced by muscle contraction
SHEAR

• In upright standing position, lumbar segments are subjected to anterior


shear forces caused by: -
- lordotic position
-body weight
-ground reaction forces
• Resisted by direct impaction of inferior zygapophyseal
facets of the superior vertebra against superior
zygapophyseal facets of adjacent vertebra below
• The lumbar intervertebral discs are innervated
posteriorly by sinuvertebral nerves
PATHOMECHANICS
EXAGGERATED LORDOSIS
• Abnormal exaggeration of lumbar curve
• Weakened abdominal muscles
• Tight hip flexors, tensor fasciae latae, and
deep lumbar extensors
• ↑ compressive stress on posterior elements
SWAY BACK
• Increased lordotic curve and kyphosis
• Weak : lower abdominals, lower thoracic extensors, hip flexors
• Tight : hip extensors, lower lumbar extensors, and upper
abdominals
• Sway-back posture reduces contraction of the skeletal muscles,
thereby applying stress to the skeletal system, which is a factor
not related to contraction, and leads to an increase in stress
applied to the lumbar area.
FLAT BACK POSTURE

• Relative decrease in lumbar lordosis (20°),


• COG shifts anterior to lumbar spine and hips
INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS PROLAPSE

• Common site:-L4-L5 &C5-C6


• A prolapsed (herniated) disc occurs
when the outer fibres of the
intervertebral disc are injured, and the
soft material known as the nucleus
pulposus, ruptures out of its enclosed
space.
THANK YOU

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