Biomechanics & Kinesiology of the spine 1

Human Movement and Injury Prevention – 2022/2023

Department of Physiotherapy – Faculty of Allied Health Science
University of Peradeniya.

Dr Suranga Dassanayake (PhD)

Research Fellow
University of Otago
New Zealand
Mechanics
Forces
• Newton’s laws
• Definition of the force
• F=ma
• Every action as a reaction (equal in magnitude and opposite in
dirction)
Linear forces
Angular forces
Forces
Levers
Biomechanics
Movement plains

Sagittal
Coronal
transverse
Objectives
• Relate the structure of the bones and joints of each spinal
region to the mobility and stability available in that region
• Discuss the role of the muscles of a spinal region in moving
and supporting the region as well as their contributions to
special functions
• Consider the effects of joint or muscle impairments on the
function of the spinal region
• Examine the loads normally applied to the spinal region and
discuss the mechanical factors that contribute to injuries in
the spinal regions
Human skeleton
Divisions of skeletal system
The spine
Anatomy of the spine
Anatomy of the spine
Vertebral body and intervertebral joints
Vertebrae
Spinal curves
The spinal curves
increase the resistance
to compression forces
Vertebral body & the disc
Movement of the spine
Biomechanical axes to a vertebra
Functional spinal unit

Functional spinal unit (FSU).

The FSU represents the smallest motion segment of the
spine and exhibits biomechanical characteristics similar to
those of the entire spine. Approximately 70% of applied
axial compression is transmitted by the vertebral body and
the intervertebral discs, with the remaining 30% of the
load being distributed through the facet joints
Movement/ motion segment of the spine
Axial loading
Axial loading and shear
Stability of the spine
Movement of the spine
C-Spine
C spine Movement
C spine
Sagittal plane view of the head and neck illustrates a flexion moment (M)
around the point of rotation, or axis, (O) produced by the weight of the
head (W).
• The weight of the head is applied at the head's center of gravity (CG).
• The extensor musculature must produce an extension moment (E) to
balance the head.
Biomechanical model of the force couples required to balance the head in two different
head positions.
A. Neutral head position requires 25 N of muscle force to balance the system.
B. B. Forward head position requires 100 N of muscle force to balance the system.
Calculation of the Muscle and Joint Reaction Forces at the Atlanto-Occipital (AO) Joint

• Imagine an individual standing with erect posture. We want to know

• What is the muscle force required to keep the head erect?
• M=0
M: Moment due to the muscle force + moment due to the head weight = 0
• (E × 0.04 m) − (37.4 N × 0.02 m) = 0
• E = 0.75 Nm/0.04 m

• What is the joint reaction force at the AO joint while holding the head erect?
• FX: no forces in the x direction
• FY: J − E − W = 0
where E is the extensor muscle force and is equal to 18.75 N and W is the head
weight, equal to 37.4 N. Both E and W are in the negative Y direction.
• J = 37.4 N + 18.75 N
J=46.15N, or approximately 1.2 times the weight of the head
Calculation of the Muscle and Joint Reaction Forces at the C7-T1 Joint

• Imagine an individual standing with erect posture. We want to know

• What is the muscle force required to keep the head erect?
• M=0
M: Moment due to the muscle force + moment due to the head weight = 0
• (E × 0.02 m) − (37.4 N × 0.05 m) = 0
• E = 1.5 Nm/0.02 m
• E=93.5 N

• What is the joint reaction force at the AO joint while holding the head erect?
• FX: no forces in the x direction
• FY: J − E − W = 0
where E is the extensor muscle force and is equal to 93.5 N and W is the head
weight, equal to 37.4 N. Both E and W are in the negative Y direction.
• J = 37.4 N + 93.5 N
J=130.9 N, more than 3 times the weight of the head
Loads of the C spine
• Static forces attributable to external loads or
muscle contraction
• Loads applied dynamically during whiplash
and impact
• Both types of loading result in deformation of
the structures of the cervical spine

• Failure strength of a tissue is the

maximum load the tissue can sustain
and still fulfill its function

• Bones fail by fracturing, and ligaments

and muscles fail by tearing.
Dynamic Loading of the Cervical Spine
• Failures of the cervical spine in healthy individuals result from high-velocity
dynamic loading. Loading rate affects the mechanical properties of bones
and connective tissues
• In sports spine dynamic loading result from high-velocity collisions between
the head and fixed/or dynamic objects
Eg: football player uses his head to tackle another player or when a swimmer's head hits the pool
bottom
• The force of impact is quite large because the head comes to an abrupt stop after
traveling at a high speed. Recalling the relationship between force and acceleration
(F = ma)
Eg: A football player moving at a velocity of 5 m per second whose average deceleration at the time of impact
with another player is about 415 m/s2, compared with the acceleration of gravity, 9.8 m/s2. The average force of
impact for the football player is approximately 2,000 N (450 lb).
• These injuries may include fractures of the occipital condyles, burst fractures of the atlas,
fractures of the odontoid process, or mid- and lower cervical spine fractures including burst
and facet fractures
Effect of the weight on loading
• Whiplash incidents are the accelerations imparted to the head
and neck when the body is suddenly slowed as well as the
continued movement of the trunk toward the head and neck.
•Thank you
• suranga.dassanayake@otago.ac.nz