Biomechanical analysis of combining head-down tilt traction with vibration for different grades of degeneration of the lumbar spine

Sicong Wang, Lizhen Wang, Yawei Wang, Chengfei Du, Ming Zhang, Yubo Fan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Combining head-down tilt (HDT) traction with vibration was demonstrated to be efficacious for LBP patients in our previous study. However, the biomechanics of the lumbar spine during this combined treatment is not well known and need quantitative analysis. In addition, LBP patients have different grades of degeneration of the lumbar spinal structure, which are often age related. Selecting a suitable rehabilitation therapy for different age groups of patients has been challenging. Therefore, a finite element (FE) model of the L1–L5 lumbar spine and a vibration dynamic model are developed in this study in order to investigate the biomechanical effects of the combination of HDT traction and vibration therapy on the age-related degeneration of the lumbar spine. The decrease of intradiscal pressure is more effective when vibration is combined with traction therapy. Moreover, the stresses on the discs are lower in the “traction + vibration” mode than the “traction-only” mode. The stress concentration at the posterior part of nucleus is mitigated after the vibration is combined. The disc deformations especially posterior disc radial retraction is improved in the “traction + vibration” mode. These beneficial effects of this therapy could help decompress the discs and spinal nerves and therefore relieve LBP. Simultaneously, patients with grade 1 degeneration (approximately 41–50 years old) are able to achieve better results compared with other age groups. This study could be used to provide a more effective LBP rehabilitation therapy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-93
Number of pages11
JournalMedical Engineering and Physics
Volume39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Degeneration
  • Finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Head-down tilt (HDT) traction
  • Lumbar spine
  • Vibration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering

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