1
|
Liao Y, Lin X, Su W, Wu X, Wang X, Yang W, Lu H, Huang C, Wu Y. MRI-based assessment paraspinal extensor muscle fatty infiltration in acute cervical spinal cord injury patients - a retrospective study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024; 25:702. [PMID: 39227803 PMCID: PMC11370304 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of fat infiltration in the paraspinal muscles on cervical degenerative disease has been confirmed by multiple studies. However, little is known about fat infiltration in the paraspinal extensors in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to investigate the difference in paraspinal extensor fatty infiltration between patients with acute cervical SCI and healthy controls, and to further explore the protective role of the paravertebral extensor muscles in patients with cervical SCI. METHODS A total of 50 patients with acute cervical SCI admitted to the emergency department from January 2019 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 26 males and 24 females, with an average age of 59.60 ± 10.81 years. A control group of 50 healthy middle-aged and elderly individuals was also included, comprising 28 males and 22 females, with an average age of 55.00 ± 8.21 years. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the cross-sectional areas of the superficial and deep cervical extensor muscles, the corresponding vertebral body cross-sectional areas, and the fat area within the superficial and deep extensor muscle groups using Image J software. Differences between the two groups were compared, and the cervical SCI patients were further analyzed based on the severity of the spinal cord injury and gender differences. RESULTS The deep fatty infiltration ratio (DFIR) and superficial fatty infiltration ratio (SFIR) at C4-C7 in the cervical SCI group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The cross-sectional area of the functional deep extensor area (FDEA) relative to the vertebral body area (VBA) and the cross-sectional area of the functional superficial extensor area (FSEA) relative to the VBA at the C5 and C6 levels in the cervical SCI group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.034, P = 0.004 respectively). Among the cervical SCI patients, the cross-sectional areas of the deep extensor area (DEA) and the superficial extensor area (SEA) in males were significantly higher than those in females (P < 0.001). At the C6 and C7 levels, the FDEA/VBA and FSEA/VBA ratios in the male group were higher than those in the female group (P = 0.009, P = 0.022, P = 0.019, P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION Patients with acute cervical SCI exhibit significantly higher fatty infiltration and a greater degree of paravertebral extensor muscle degeneration compared to healthy controls. This finding underscores the importance of the paravertebral extensor muscles in the context of cervical SCI and may guide future therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liao
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Xuping Lin
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Wanhan Su
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Xiuming Wu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Xiaomen Wang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Wencheng Yang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Haichuan Lu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Chunhui Huang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China
| | - Yiqi Wu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Longyan First Hospital (Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University), Longyan, 364000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Guo LX, Zhang DX, Zhang M. Destruction mechanism of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in frontal impact. Med Biol Eng Comput 2024:10.1007/s11517-024-03167-z. [PMID: 39048839 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-024-03167-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to quantitatively study the effect of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on the risk of spinal injury under frontal impact. A head-neck finite element model incorporating active neck muscles and soft tissues was developed and validated. Based on the intact head-neck model, three ACDF models (single-level, two-level and three-level) were used to analyze the frontal impact responses of the head-neck. The results revealed that various surgical approaches led to distinct patterns of vertebral damage under frontal impact. For single-level and three-level ACDFs, vertebral destruction was mainly concentrated at the lower end of the fused segment, while the other vertebrae were not significantly damaged. For two-level ACDF, the lowest vertebra was the first to suffer destruction, followed by severe damage to both the upper and lower vertebrae, while the middle vertebra of the cervical spine exhibited only partial damage around the screws. Fusion surgery for cervical spine injuries predominantly influences the vertebral integrity of the directly fused segments when subjected to frontal impact, while exerting a comparatively lesser impact on the cross-sectional properties of adjacent, non-fused segments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xin Guo
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China.
| | - Dong-Xiang Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Res Inst Sports Sci & Technol, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Dept Biomed Engn, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tian TF, Mo FH, Su HY, Huang C, Zhao H, Liu J, Shang B, Li K, Qiu JL. Investigation on vehicle occupant dummy applicability for under-foot impact loading conditions. Chin J Traumatol 2024; 27:235-241. [PMID: 38637177 PMCID: PMC11357746 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Under-foot impact loadings can cause serious lower limb injuries in many activities, such as automobile collisions and underbody explosions to military vehicles. The present study aims to compare the biomechanical responses of the mainstream vehicle occupant dummies with the human body lower limb model and analyze their robustness and applicability for assessing lower limb injury risk in under-foot impact loading environments. METHODS The Hybrid III model, the test device for human occupant restraint (THOR) model, and a hybrid human body model with the human active lower limb model were adopted for under-foot impact analysis regarding different impact velocities and initial lower limb postures. RESULTS The results show that the 2 dummy models have larger peak tibial axial force and higher sensitivity to the impact velocities and initial postures than the human lower limb model. In particular, the Hybrid III dummy model presented extremely larger peak tibial axial forces than the human lower limb model. In the case of minimal difference in tibial axial force, Hybrid III's tibial axial force (7.5 KN) is still 312.5% that of human active lower limb's (2.4 KN). Even with closer peak tibial axial force values, the biomechanical response curve shapes of the THOR model show significant differences from the human lower limb model. CONCLUSION Based on the present results, the Hybrid III dummy cannot be used to evaluate the lower limb injury risk in under-foot loading environments. In contrast, potential improvement in ankle biofidelity and related soft tissues of the THOR dummy can be implemented in the future for better applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Fei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Fu-Hao Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Hao-Yang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Can Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Institute for Traffic Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Chongqing Zhongzheng Judicial Expert Center, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Bo Shang
- NIO Limited Liability Company, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Kui Li
- College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traffic Injury and Vehicle Ergonomics, Chongqing, 400042, China.
| | - Jin-Long Qiu
- Institute for Traffic Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traffic Injury and Vehicle Ergonomics, Chongqing, 400042, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dong R, Zhu S, Cheng X, Gao X, Wang Z, Wang Y. Study on the biodynamic characteristics and internal vibration behaviors of a seated human body under biomechanical characteristics. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024:10.1007/s10237-024-01849-z. [PMID: 38671153 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-024-01849-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
To provide reference and theoretical guidance for establishing human body dynamics models and studying biomechanical vibration behavior, this study aimed to develop and verify a computational model of a three-dimensional seated human body with detailed anatomical structure under complex biomechanical characteristics to investigate dynamic characteristics and internal vibration behaviors of the human body. Fifty modes of a seated human body were extracted by modal method. The intervertebral disc and head motions under uniaxial white noise excitation (between 0 and 20 Hz at 1.0, 0.5 and 0.5 m/s2 r.m.s. for vertical, fore-aft and lateral direction, respectively) were computed by random response analysis method. It was found that there were many modes of the seated human body in the low-frequency range, and the modes that had a great impact on seated human vibration were mainly distributed below 13 Hz. The responses of different positions of the spine varied greatly under the fore-aft and lateral excitation, but the maximum stress was distributed in the lumbar under different excitations, which could explain why drivers were prone to lower back pain after prolonged driving. Moreover, there was a large vibration coupling between the vertical and fore-aft direction of an upright seated human body, while the vibration couplings between the lateral and other directions were very small. Overall, the study could provide new insights into not only the overall dynamic characteristics of the human body, but also the internal local motion and biomechanical characteristics under different excitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- RuiChun Dong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuai Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Cheng
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, People's Republic of China
| | - ZhongLong Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu G, Liang Z, Tian T, Meng Q, Bertin KM, Mo F. Development of a finite element full spine model with active muscles for quantitatively analyzing sarcopenia effects on lumbar load. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 240:107709. [PMID: 37473587 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The musculoskeletal imbalance caused by disease is one of the most critical factors leading to spinal injuries, like sarcopenia. However, the effects of musculoskeletal imbalances on the spine are difficult to quantitatively investigate. Thus, a complete finite element spinal model was established to analyze the effects of musculoskeletal imbalance, especially concerning sarcopenia. METHODS A finite element spinal model with active muscles surrounding the vertebrae was established and validated from anatomic verification to the whole spine model in dynamic loading at multiple levels. It was then coupled with the previously developed neuromuscular model to quantitatively analyze the effects of erector spinae (ES) and multifidus (MF) sarcopenia on spinal tissues. The severity of the sarcopenia was classified into three levels by changing the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) of ES and MF, which were mild (60% PCSA of ES and MF), moderate (48% PCSA of ES and MF), and severe (36% PCSA of ES and MF). RESULTS The stress and strain levels of most lumbar tissues in the sarcopenia models were more significant than those of the normal model during spinal extension movement. The sarcopenia caused load concentration in several specific regions. The stress level of the L4-L5 intervertebral disc and L1 vertebra significantly increased with the severity of sarcopenia and showed relatively larger values than other segments. From the normal model to a severe sarcopenia model, the stress value of the L4-L5 intervertebral disc and L1 vertebra increased by 128% and 113%, respectively. The strain level of L5-S1 also inclined significantly with the severity of sarcopenia, and the relatively larger capsule strain values occurred at lower back segments from L3 to S1. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the validated spinal coupling model can be used for spinal injury risk analysis caused by musculoskeletal imbalance. The results suggested that sarcopenia can primarily lead to high injury risk of the L4-L5 intervertebral disc, L1 vertebrae, and L3-S1 joint capsule regarding significant stress or strain variance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Xu
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, China
| | - Ziyang Liang
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Tengfei Tian
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Qingnan Meng
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Komera Musoni Bertin
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Fuhao Mo
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liang Z, Xu G, Liu T, Zhong Y, Mo F, Li Z. Quantitatively biomechanical response analysis of posterior musculature reconstruction in cervical single-door laminoplasty. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 233:107479. [PMID: 36933316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The current trend of laminoplasty is developing toward the goal of muscle preservation and minimum tissue damage. Given this, muscle-preserving techniques in cervical single-door laminoplasty have been modified with protecting the spinous processes at the sites of C2 and/or C7 muscle attachment and reconstruct the posterior musculature in recent years. To date, no study has reported the effect of preserving the posterior musculature during the reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the biomechanical effect of multiple modified single-door laminoplasty procedures for restoring stability and reducing response level on the cervical spine. METHODS Different cervical laminoplasty models were established for evaluating kinematics and response simulations based on a detailed finite element (FE) head-neck active model (HNAM), including ① C3 - C7 laminoplasty (LP_C37), ② C3 - C6 laminoplasty with C7 spinous process preservation (LP_C36), ③ C3 laminectomy hybrid decompression with C4 - C6 laminoplasty (LT_C3 + LP_C46) and ④ C3 - C7 laminoplasty with unilateral musculature preservation (LP_C37 + UMP). The laminoplasty model was validated by the global range of motion (ROM) and percentage changes relative to the intact state. The C2 - T1 ROM, axial muscle tensile force, and stress/strain levels of functional spinal units were compared among the different laminoplasty groups. The obtained effects were further analysed by comparison with a review of clinical data on cervical laminoplasty scenarios. RESULTS Analysis of the locations of concentration of muscle load showed that the C2 muscle attachment sustained more tensile loading than the C7 muscle attachment, primarily in flexion-extension (FE) and in lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR), respectively. Simulated results further quantified that LP_C36 primarily produced 10% decreases in LB and AR modes relative to LP_C37. Compared with LP_C36, LT_C3 + LP_C46 resulted in approximately 30% decreases in FE motion; LP C37 + UMP also showed a similar trend. Additionally, when compared to LP_C37, LT_C3 + LP_C46 and LP C37 + UMP reduced the peak stress level at the intervertebral disc by at most 2-fold as well as the peak strain level of the facet joint capsule by 2-3-fold. All these findings were well correlated with the result of clinical studies comparing modified laminoplasty and classic laminoplasty. CONCLUSIONS Modified muscle-preserving laminoplasty is superior to classic laminoplasty due to the biomechanical effect of the posterior musculature reconstruction, with a retained postoperative ROM and loading response levels of the functional spinal units. More motion-sparing is beneficial for increasing cervical stability, which probably accelerates the recovery of postoperative neck movement and reduces the risk of the complication for eventual kyphosis and axial pain. Surgeons are encouraged to make every effort to preserve the attachment of the C2 whenever feasible in laminoplasty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - G Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - T Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Y Zhong
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China
| | - F Mo
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
| | - Z Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mo F, Meng Q, Wu K, Zhang Q, Li K, Liao Z, Zhao H. A neuromuscular human body model for lumbar injury risk analysis in a vibration loading environment. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 232:107442. [PMID: 36905749 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Long-term intensive exposure to whole-body vibration substantially increases the risk of low back pain and degenerative diseases in special occupational groups, like motor vehicle drivers, military vehicle occupants, aircraft pilots, etc. This study aims to establish and validate a neuromuscular human body model focusing on improvement of the detailed description of anatomic structures and neural reflex control, for lumbar injury analysis in vibration loading environments. METHODS A whole-body musculoskeletal in Opensim codes was first improved by including a detailed anatomic description of spinal ligaments, non-linear intervertebral disc, and lumbar facet joints, and coupling a proprioceptive feedback closed-loop control strategy with GTOs and muscle spindles modeling in Python codes. Then, the established neuromuscular model was multi-levelly validated from sub-segments to the whole model, from regular movements to dynamic responses to vibration loadings. Finally, the neuromuscular model was combined with a dynamic model of an armored vehicle to analyze occupant lumbar injury risk in vibration loadings due to different road conditions and traveling velocities. RESULT Based on a series of biomechanical indexes, including lumbar joint rotation angles, the lumbar intervertebral pressures, the displacement of the lumbar segments, and the lumbar muscle activities, the validation results show that the present neuromuscular model is available and feasible in predicting lumbar biomechanical responses in normal daily movement and vibration loading environments. Furthermore, the combined analysis with the armored vehicle model predicted similar lumbar injury risk to the experimental or epidemiologic studies. The preliminary analysis results also showed that road types and travelling velocities have substantial combined effects on lumbar muscle activities, and indicated that intervertebral joint pressure and muscle activity indexes can need to be jointly considered for lumbar injury risk evaluation. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the established neuromuscular model is an effective tool to evaluate vibration loading effects on injury risk of the human body and assist vehicle design vibration comfort by directly concerning the human body injury itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuhao Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Qingnan Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ke Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacture for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Kui Li
- Institute for Traffic Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Zhikang Liao
- Institute for Traffic Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Institute for Traffic Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Varghese V, Baisden J, Yoganandan N. Normalization technique to build patient specific muscle model in finite element head neck spine. Med Eng Phys 2022; 107:103857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2022.103857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|