Cervical spine injuries, degenertion (spondylosis), nerve root compression (radiculopathy) and spinal cord compression (myelopathy) are the major causes of pain, deformity and neurological disfunction in the cervical region. Studies of the spinal column alone, while important, provide limited information about the cord and nerve roots. The purpose of the present proposal is to study in a comprehensive manner the mechanical basis of local, radicular and myelopathic symptomatology in the cervical spine. Such information is not available presently. This comprehensive study has three basic parts. Firstly, to determine ligamentous strains and intervertebral foramenal changes due to physiological movements of the cervical spine. Secondly, to measure physiological movements of, and strains in,, the nerve roots and spinal cord. Finally, to quantify 3-dimensional anatomy of the cervical spine in various physiological postures using cryomicrotome sectioning, X-rays and CT-scans. Significance of this work will be in several different areas. The comprehensive set of biomechanical data about the functioning relationships between the various components of the cervical spine system, namely, vertebrae, ligaments, spinal cord and nerve roots will be available for the first time. It will provide the basis for understanding the functioning of the cervical spine system. Thereby making it possible to correlate precisely the anatomic derangements with clinical presentation of symptoms in a patient. It will also be helpful in the design of new and more efficient diagonostic and treatment modalities for the various problems of the cervical spine.
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