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Nuclear tracking spine model – helping explain research findings.

3D discogenic pain model

Nuclear tracking as a result of vibration for spine has been revealed in an ISSLS price winning study in Spine. In a microanatomical investigation titled : ” Vibration Really Does Disrupt the Disc ” 1 researchers looked at motion segments and the influence of vibration as it relates to intervertebral disc damage.

There has been background knowledge stating that whole body vibration can lead to back pain but no-one had studied the micro structure of the disc. Looking carefully how nuclear tracking disrupts the annulus and endplate, this study looked at sheep discs, with controls, and vibrated motion segments under 7 degrees of flexion. The forces used were 1300 plus or minus 500N and the frequency applied was 5hz. This equates to 5 vibration movements per second. They conducted the movement for 20,00 to 120,000 cycles to mimic lose does and high dose variation.

Nuclear Tracking in a Spine Model

nuclear tracking, flexion, motion segment, model, modeling

Flexion load causes posterior nuclear tracking.

They found there was no sharp significant drop in displacement revealing there was not one moment of catastophic failure. What they found was nuclear tracking and internal disruption of the inner and mid layers of the annulus fibrosus. They also saw delamination of the annular fibres where they attach to the endplate (aka, Sharpey’s Fibres)

In conclusion, these researchers revealed that vibration in a flexed spinal motion segment leads to inner and mid layer annular disruption rather than outer annular disruption that is seen with disc herniation. They believe this mechanism could lead to a better understanding of the initiation of the degenerative cascade of spine.

Dynamic Disc Designs tries to highlight important research and model the respective findings for spine professionals working with patients of back problems. Educating patients about the mechanisms  of back pain can be an empowering tool for both doctors and patients.

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