The sacro-iliac joint : a clinical-anatomical, biomechanical and radiological study

This study is concerned with clinical-anatomical, biomechanical, and radiological properties of the sacro-iliac joints. It was initiated in order to acquire a better understanding of these 'enigmatic' joints. We started with researching the macroscopic anatomy of the auricular surfaces of the sacro-iliac joint. Macroscopic alterations of these surfaces have been described by several authors. Generally, such changes are considered to be pathological (Sashin, 1930; Bowen & Cassidy, 1981). If that were true, it could be expected that such changes would cause pain or sacro-iliac problems in (older) men since the changes become gradually more apparent from puberty onwards and are more prominent in men than in women. However, in the view presented in this study, macroscopic changes such as coarse texture and the appearance of ridges and grooves, reflect adaptations to stability, promoted by the increase in weight during the adolescent growth spurt. One reason for our view is the presence of coarse texture and ridges and . grooves in, practically. all male sacro-iliac joints (chapter 1). Another reason is the observation that the ridges and grooves in the sacro-iliac joint are complementary, and as a rule covered by intact cartilage, even in specimens of old age. All these features are more outspoken in men than in women. Differences between men and women may be attributed to child-bearing and to differential localization of the centre of gravity in relation to the sacroiliac joints (chapter I)

Transfer of lumbosacral load to iliac bones and legs Part 2: Loading of the sacroiliac joints when lifting in a stooped posture

We developed a biomechanical model of load transfer by the sacroiliac joints in relation to posture. A description is given of two ways in which the transfer of lumbar load to the pelvis in a stooped posture can take place. One way concerns ligament and muscle forces that act on the sacrum, raising the tendency of the sacrum to flex in relation to the hip bones. The other refers to ligament and muscle forces acting on the iliac crests, raising the tendency of the sacrum to shift in caudal direction in relation to the hip bones. Both loading modes deal with the self-bracing mechanism that comes into action to prevent shear in the sacroiliac joints. When a person is lifting a load while in a stooped posture, the force raised by gravity acting in a plane perpendicular to the spine and the sacrum becomes of interest. In this situation a belt such as used by weight lifters may contribute to the stability of the sacroiliac joints. Verification of the biomechanical model is based on anatomical studies and on load application to human specimens. Magnetic resonance imaging pictures have been taken to verify geometry in vivo

Fascial deformation in the lateral elbow region: A conceptual approach

Abstract In embalmed preparations, the antebrachial fascia in the lateral elbow region is shown to be deformed by load application to the triceps muscle. From this fascia, muscles arise which are primarily concerned with the extension of wrist and fingers. In the case of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), the superficial site of attachment of these extensors at the lateral epicondyle is extremely painful. Triceps training may help to diminish (or prevent) this pain by altering the forces acting at the lateral epicondyle

Understanding peripartum pelvic pain: Implications of a patient survey

Study Design. An analysis was made of the self-reported medical histories of patients with peripartum pelvic pain. Objectives. To compile an inventory of the disabilities of patients with peripartum pelvic pain, analyze factors associated with the risk for development of the disease, and to formulate a hypothesis on pathogenesis and specific preventive and therapeutic measures. Summary of Background Data. Pregnancy is an important risk factor for development of chronic low back pain. Understanding the pathogenesis of pelvic and low back pain during pregnancy and delivery could be useful in understanding and managing nonspecific low back pain. Methods. By means of a questionnaire, background data were collected among patients of the Dutch Association for Patients With Pelvic Complaints in Relation to Symphysiolysis. Results were compared with the general population. Subgroups were compared with each other. Results. Peripartum pelvic pain seriously interferes with many activities of daily living such us standing, walking, sitting, and all other activities in which the pelvis is involved. Most patients experience a relapse around menstruation and during a subsequent pregnancy. Occurrence of peripartum pelvic pain was associated with twin pregnancy, first pregnancy, higher ago at first pregnancy, larger weight of the baby, forceps or vacuum extraction, fundus expression, and a flexed position of the woman during childbirth; a negative association was observed with cesarean section. Conclusions. It is hypothesized that peripartum pelvic pain is caused by strain of ligaments in the pelvis and lower spine resulting from a combination of damage to ligaments (recently or in the past), hormonal effects, muscle weakness, and the weight of the fetus

Oblique abdominal muscle activity in standing and in sitting on hard and soft seats

The activity of the oblique abdominal muscles was investigated with the trunk in unconstrained, symmetrical and static postures. Electromyographic recordings in six healthy subjects revealed that in all subjects the activity of both the internal and the external obliques is significantly higher in unconstrained standing than in supine posture. Activity of the internal oblique was higher than that of the external oblique abdominal. The sacrospinal, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscles showed practically no activity in unconstrained erect posture. During unconstrained sitting both oblique abdominals are active. In most subjects the activity of the oblique abdominals was significantly smaller when sitting on a soft car seat than when sitting on an office chair with a hard seat. The possibility is discussed that contraction of the oblique abdominals in unconstrained standing and sitting may help in stabilizing the basis of the spine and particularly the sacroiliac joints. During standing and sitting the oblique abdominal muscles apparently have a significant role in sustaining gravity loads

Mechanical tension in the median nerve: The effects of joint positions

Stretch tests are attractive in the diagnosis of nerve root or peripheral nerve lesion. Interpretation of the test results is often difficult since the distribution of tensile forces along the nerve caused by the test manoeuvre is not known. In this study the effect on median nerve tension of 22 positions of the arm was measured with ‘buckle’ force transducers. With the elbow in full extension and the hand in neutral position, altering the position of the shoulder significantly influenced tension in the proximal part of the median nerve; tension in the distal part was not influenced. With the shoulder in 90 ° abduction, dorsiflexion of the hand combined with an extended elbow resulted in an increased tension in both distal and proximal parts of the median nerve. Dorsiflexion of the hand combined with flexion of the elbow caused an increase in tension only in the distal part. At all sites of the median nerve the median nerve upper limb tension test caused a significantly higher tension than the radial and ulnar nerve upper limb tension tests. This study provides insight in the normal distribution of tensile forces along the median nerve and can have clinical consequences. For differentiating nerve root from peripheral nerve lesions a specific provocative tension test for the median nerve is advocated. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for differentiating between lesions in the proximal and distal parts of the median nerve

Multi-Terminal Superconducting Phase Qubit

Mesoscopic multi-terminal Josephson junctions are novel devices that provide weak coupling between several bulk superconductors through a common normal layer. Because of the nonlocal coupling of the superconducting banks, a current flow between two of the terminals can induce a phase difference and/or current flow in the other terminals. This "phase dragging" effect is used in designing a new type of superconducting phase qubit, the basic element of a quantum computer. Time-reversal symmetry breaking can be achieved by inserting a pi-phase shifter into the flux loop. Logical operations are done by applying currents. This removes the necessity for local external magnetic fields to achieve bistability or controllable operations.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Posterior muscle chain activity during various extension exercises: An observational study

Background: Back extension exercises are often used in the rehabilitation of low back pain. However, at present it is not clear how the posterior muscles are recruited during different types of extension exercises. Therefore, the present study will evaluate the myoelectric activity of thoracic, lumbar and hip extensor muscles during different extension exercises in healthy persons. Based on these physiological observations we will make recommendations regarding the use of extensions exercises in clinical practice. Methods. Fourteen healthy subjects performed four standardized extension exercises (dynamic trunk extension, dynamic-static trunk extension, dynamic leg extension, dynamic-static leg extension) in randomized order at an intensity of 60% of 1-RM (one repetition maximum). Surface EMG signals of Latissimus dorsi (LD), Longissimus thoracis pars thoracic (LTT) and lumborum (LTL), Iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracic (ILT) and lumborum (ILL), lumbar Multifidus (LM) and Gluteus Maximus (GM) were measured during the various exercises. Subsequently, EMG root mean square values were calculated and compared between trunk and leg extension exercises, as well as between a dynamic and dynamic-static performance using mixed model analysis. During the dynamic exercises a 2 second concentric contraction was followed by a 2 second eccentric contraction, whereas in the dynamic-static performance, a 5 second isometric interval was added in between the concentric and eccentric contraction phase. Results: In general, the muscles of the posterior chain were recruited on a higher level during trunk extension (mean ± SD, 56.6 ± 30.8%MVC) compared to leg extension (47.4 ± 30.3%MVC) (p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were found in mean muscle activity between dynamic and dynamic-static performances (p = 0.053). The thoracic muscles (LTT and ILT) were recruited more during trunk extension (64.9 ± 27.1%MVC) than during leg extension (54.2 ± 22.1%MVC) (p = 0.045) without significant differences in activity between both muscles (p = 0.138). There was no significant differences in thoracic muscle usage between the dynamic or dynamic-static performance of the extension exercises (p = 0.574).Lumbar muscle activity (LTT, ILL, LM) was higher during trunk extension (70.6 ± 22.2%MVC) compared to leg extension (61.7 ± 27.0%MVC) (p = 0.047). No differences in myoelectric activity between the lumbar muscles could be demonstrated during the extension exercises (p = 0.574). During each exercise the LD (19.2 ± 13.9%MVC) and GM (28.2 ± 14.6%MVC) were recruited significantly less than the thoracic and lumbar muscles. Conclusion: The recruitment of the posterior muscle chain during different types of extension exercises was influenced by the moving body part, but not by the type of contraction. All muscle groups were activated at a higher degree during trunk extension compared to leg extension. Based on the recruitment level of the different muscles, all exercises can be used to improve the endurance capacity of thoracic muscles, however for improvement of lumbar muscle endurance leg extension exercises seem to be more appropriate. To train the endurance capacity of the LD and GM extension exercises are not appropriate

Role of lipoxygenase products in the effects of angiotensin II in the isolated aorta and perfused heart of the rat

The objective of this study was to determine whether arachidonate metabolites are involved in the vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin II in rats. In the isolated perfused heart, dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the maximal decreases in coronary flow induced by angiotensin II and vasopressin (reference drug). In the heart, the nonselective lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA, 1 μM) markedly suppressed the angiotensin II-induced decreases in coronary flow. NDGA (10 μM) inhibited both angiotensin II- and methoxamine- (reference drug) induced contractions in aortic rings with (in the presence of L-NAME) and without endothelium. In the heart, the leukotriene synthesis inhibitor MK-886 (0.3 μM) significantly reduced the maximal effects to angiotensin II, but the leukotriene antagonist FPL 55712 (0.1 and 0.3 μM) had no effect. We conclude that in the isolated perfused rat heart angiotensin II-induced decreases in coronary flow are in part mediated by Hpoxygenase products, which might be derived from the 5-Hpoxygenase pathway, but are probably not leukotrienes. Furthermore, endothelium independent Hpoxygenase products mediate part of the contractile responses to angiotensin II in the isolated rat aorta