Open AccessThe effect of repetitive flexion and extension fatigue loading on the young porcine lumbar spine, a feasibility study of MRI and histological analyses
Author(s) -
Thoreson Olof,
Ekström Lars,
Hansson HansArne,
Todd Carl,
Witwit Wisam,
Swärd Aminoff Anna,
Jonasson Pall,
Baranto Adad
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of experimental orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2197-1153
DOI - 10.1186/s40634-017-0091-7
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , lumbar , orthopedic surgery , low back pain , cadaver , lumbar spine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , orthodontics , surgery , radiology , pathology , alternative medicine
Background The biomechanical mechanisms of failure of FSUs have been studied but the correlation of repetitive flexion and extension loadings to the initial phase of fatigue in young FSUs are still not known. The purpose of the study was to examine the fatigue results of low magnitude repetitive flexion and extension loading on porcine lumbar Functional Spinal Units (FSUs) with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and histology. Methods Eight FSUs were subject to repetitive pivot flexion and eight to extension loading by a protocol of 20 000 cycles at 1 Hz with a load of 700 N. All loaded FSUs ( N = 16) were examined with MRI and histology post loading. Three FSUs were examined with MRI as controls. Further three FSUs were non loaded histology controls. Results Fifteen (94%) of the loaded FSUs have decreased MRI signal in the growth zone of the superior vertebra and 12 (75%) in the inferior vertebrae. Fourteen (88%) FSUs have increased signal in the superior vertebral body. Fourteen (88%) FSUs have a reduced signal in all or any endplate. The histology morphometry displayed that the unstained parts of the epiphyseal growth zone were larger among the loaded FSUs (mean 29% vs 4%) and that the chondrocytes in the endplate and growth zones had abnormal structure and deformed extracellular matrix. Conclusion Repetitive loading of young porcine FSUs in both extension and flexion causes concurrent MRI and histological changes in the growth zones and endplates, which could be a first sign of fatigue and an explanation for the disc, apophyseal and growth zone injuries seen among adolescent athletes.