Biomechanics and Motion Analysis

Assessment of Intervertebral Motion Measurements in the Lumbar Spine

Principal Investigator: Kai-Nan An, Ph.D.
Project Coordinator: Kristin Zhao — zhao.kristin@mayo.edu

Trauma, aging, infection, tumor, and failed surgery all can adversely affect intervertebral motion (IVM) in the spine. Although conventional radiographs of the spine are commonly used to assess any possible abnormalities in IVM, several research studies have shown poor accuracy and poor inter- and intra-observer agreement. The goal of this study was to use an electromagnetic tracking device to assess the accuracy of a new image analysis software (KIMAX QMA, Medical Metrics, Inc.) compared to conventional radiographic assessment techniques in measuring sagittal plane IVM from lateral radiographs. The results suggest that noninvasive measurements of IVM made using FDA approved software are more accurate compared to the current method used by clinicians. In addition, the software determined disk height and shear changes to less than a millimeter. Therefore, the software-assisted measurements may be helpful in predicting instability and other diagnoses that require a finer degree of accuracy.