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Effects of Cervical Extension on the Deformation of Intervertebral Disc and the Migration of Nucleus Pulposus
Author(s) -
Chung Sun G.,
Kim YoonHo,
Park Seongjun,
Kim SungIn
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.08.015
Subject(s) - bachelor , medicine , library science , the republic , family medicine , geography , computer science , philosophy , theology , archaeology
Disclosures: S. G. Chung, No Disclosures: I Have Nothing To Disclose. Objective: To test whether the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the cervical intervertebral discs (IVD) migrates forward by cervical extension, so-called McKenzie, maneuver. Design: In vivo anatomical measurement before and after intervention. Setting: An MRI center in a university hospital. Participants: 10 young and healthy males (22.4 1.6 years old). Interventions: T2 midline sagittal MR images were obtained in supine position with the cervical spine in neutral and approximately 20 degree extended postures. Main Outcome Measures: The anterior and posterior IVD heights and the horizontal position of the posterior margin of NP were measured and compared between the neutral and extended postures in each IVD of the C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7 levels. Results or Clinical Course: Anterior IVD heights increased significantly in the C3-4 and C4-5 levels (5.77 0.71mm to 6.45 0.92mm and 6.30 0.85mm to 6.92 0.77mm, respectively, with p<.01) while slight increments were noticed in the lower levels. The posterior end of NP showed meaningful forwardly displacements in all of the levels (1.37 0.75mm, 1.41 1.45mm, 0.68 0.73mm, and 0.64 0.98 with p < .05). Conclusions: Cervical extension maneuver increases the height of anterior IVDs and moves NP forward, which may help to prevent or treat posterior annular tear or herniation of NP.