Effect of injury and orthotic support on the stability of the spine

Abstract

The effect of injury to the thoracolumbar spinal segment and the influence of orthotic support on the stability of the spine was studied using a finite-element model of the spine. The stability of an injured spine with and without orthotic support was evaluated in terms of the progression of translational and angular deformity at the injured segment when the spine was subjected to gravitational loads and flexion moment in the upright posture. Results indicate that a hyperextension orthosis improves the stability of the model spine whose ability to withstand gravitational and flexion loads was severely compromised due to injury at T12-L2 segment.<>