Probing fundamental mechanics of the spine: Normal and injury mechanics

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Low back and cervical spine pain and injury is a major cost to Canadians. The spine is a very complex neural, muscular and skeletal system. However, it thrives on optimal mechanical loading so that it becomes painful and disabled when the mechanical loading is either too much or too little. The focus of this work is directed towards understanding biomechanical function of the spine and related tissues, and using this fundamental knowledge as a foundation, to ultimately develop better pain prevention and rehabilitation approaches. For example, our work deciphering injury mechanisms has shown that disc bulging and herniation have a distinct mechanical cause (repeated and prolonged flexion) which can justify developments for prevention approaches. Over the past 25 years of NSERC funding a highly detailed anatomical model of the thoracolumbar spine has been developed that utilizes the biological signals characterizing movement and muscle activation from each subject. In this way unique insight is obtained into the consequences of the strategies of every individual in terms of tissue stress distribution, and stability of the structure. For the tenure of the next grant, major thrusts include the addition of a cervical spine, and a pelvis with hips to probe basic mechanisms of function from the perspective of the full spine/pelvis. We anticipate discoveries related to how regional spine mechanics influence hip mechanics and vice versa, for example. Another uniqueness in our approach is to combine both in vivo and in vitro techniques. We continue to explore the process of intervertebral disc damage with a focus on documenting the cascade of damage from the endplate, trabecular bone and annulus together with collaborative work to restore function with bio-polymer augmentation following a sealing process of the nucleus compartment.