Abstract
The musculoskeletal system and its functions can be defined using the basic laws of mechanics. The field of biomechanics explores the effects of energy and forces on biological systems. The spinal column and its associated vertebrae and contiguous soft-tissue structures can be better appreciated with an understanding of these principles. In evaluating the spine, forces, moments and motion must be separated into individual entities. This separation allows understanding of normal as well as abnormal conditions such as fractures, deformities and degenerative conditions. The function and purpose of surgical restoration of normal spinal alignment must respect the laws of mechanics and their biomechanical principles. Achieving an understanding of these principles, including force analysis, kinematics, static and dynamic loading, modes of spinal failure and implant failure, allows one to critically evaluate his work. Understanding these mechanical and biomechanical principles would then allow one to plan and apply spinal instrumentation from a sound scientific perspective.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allgower M (1991) In: (Manual of internal fixation, 3rd edn, Springer, New York
Bailey RW (1983) The cervical spine. In: (The cevical spine Research Society. Lippincott, St. Louis
Bridwell KH, Dewald RL (1997) In: ( The textbook of spinal surgery, vol I, II, 2nd edition, Lippincott, New York
Bullough MB, Boachie-Adjei O (1988) In: (Atlas of spinal dis-eases. Lippincott, Philadelphia
Simon SR (1994) In: Orthopaedic Basic Science, AAOS
White AH (1995) In: Spine care vol.II, Mosby, St. Louis
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Williamson, M.B., Aebi, M. (1998). Biomechanics of the Spine and Spinal Instrumentation. In: AO ASIF Principles in Spine Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58824-2_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58824-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-63746-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-58824-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive