Biomechanics of lumbar spine-1

AFTAB AHMED MIRZA BAIG

Senior physiotherapist
Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dow University of Health Sciences
DATE: 20-03-19
Motions at the lumbar spine joints can
occur in three cardinal planes
Flexion Extension
Side bending
Rotation
 Most of the flexion and extension of the
lumbar spine occurs in the lower
segmental levels, whereas most of the side
bending of the lumbar spine occurs in the
mid-lumbar area
Rotation, which occurs
with side bending as a
coupled motion, is
minimal, and occurs
most at the
lumbosacral junction
Principal function of lumbar spine
Protect spinal cord
Principal function of lumbar spine
Transfer loads from head & trunk to
the pelvis
 The motion segment

Ant. & Post. Longitudinal Ligaments

Vertebral Arches
IV Joints/facets

2 superimposed
IV bodies

I.V Disc

Transverse and spinous

process & various
ligaments
VERTEBRAL CANAL:
Arches & Vertebral bodies
Anterior portion of motion segment
• Vertebral body, Bear mainly
compressive loads
• Progressively larger caudally
• Thicker, larger & wider than cervical /
thoracic spines
 Intervertebral disc
• Bears/Distributes loads & Restrain excessive
motion, is of the greatest mechanical and
functional importance.
• Nucleus pulposus is a gelatin mass
• Rich in hydrophilic (water binding)
glycosaminoglycans in the young adults but
diminished with age and progressively less
hydrated
• Slightly posterior position in the disc
 • Bears compressive Loads

Whereas, annulus fibrosus is a fibrocartilage structure,

Criss-cross arrangement of collagen fibers and allows to
withstand Bears high bending & Torsional Loads.
 Loading of i.v disc during ADLs
Combination of Compression, Bending (tensile) and Torsion
Flexion, Extension & Lateral Flexion produce
compressive & tensile loads in the disc
Rotation produces mainly shear stress in the disc
Disc with annular tear displays
high rotational moments during
loading compared with non-
degenerated disc
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, only
than you will be successful”