Journal international de médecine physique et de réadaptation
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Deformation Threshold of Cervical Spine Structures Subjected to Tensile Stress: In Vitro Experiment on Goat

Georges Meya Kiala*, Meya Kiala G*, Nsitwayizatadi B, Nzinga Luzolo A, Nkoy Lenga M, Okito Wonga D, Djema C, Miangindula B, Nkakudulu Bikuku H, Mbuyi Muamba JM

Study design: Experimental study.

Background: In degenerative disc-radiculopathies, medical treatment provides only temporary relief and the pathology may progress to paralysis if the spinal disc impingement is not resolved. Given the long-term harmful effects of Pharmacotherapy, the WHO recommends management by non-pharmacological therapeutic measures. Addressing this concern that is why we conducted this study on neurovertebral decompression using a non-invasive, safe and effective method.

Objective: To determine the deformation threshold of the anatomo-histological structures of the cervical spine of the goat subjected to a traction force, with a view to the transposition of results in humans for safe and effective cervical traction in degenerative neck pain.

Methods: This experimental in vitro study, carried out on 12 goats, divided into two groups of 6 each, the first of which included goats subjected to cervical traction with muscle mass and neck skin in place and the second, goats stripped of muscle mass and skin. During the period from February 2020 to March 2021.

Results: For progressively increasing tensile forces from 0 to 100 kgf at a rate of 10 kgf per sequence, the maximum duration beyond which no elongation was observed was 5 minutes. All parameters remaining constant (duration of the sequence, tensile load), the elongations observed in the center of the cervical spine (were far superior to those observed at the periphery in a ratio of 1 of 8. The progression of the elongation at the periphery was very low, evolving from 0 to 2 mm compared to that of the center, which evolves from 0 to 17 mm. All the parameters remaining constant (duration of the sequence, tensile load), the elongations observed at the center of the cervical spine (in the goats were by far superior to those of the periphery according to a calculated ratio of 1 of 8. Progression of elongation in periphery was very weak, evolving from 0 to 3 mm compared to that of the center which evolved from 0 to 25 mm. Peripheral elongations in group II goats is not as pronounced as that of group I, ratio:1 of 2. We note a series of deformation of the cervical spine: intervertebral dislocation and ligament cracking, with spinal cord exposure, focused on C2, C3 on all 6 goats from a tensile force of 50 kgf to 80 kgf. Comparison of means between the lengthening observed in periphery and in center in intra-group I is clearly significant (test t: p˂0.001). The elongation in center is greater than that of periphery. The same is true for the elongation observed in intragroup II (t test: p˂0.001), the elongation observed in the center is greater than that observed in periphery. By comparing the average lengthening observed between the two groups in periphery, we note a significant difference with predominance in group I (t test: p=0.001). Between groups I and II, the comparison of average lengthening of the center is as significant difference (test t: p˂0.001).

Conclusion: The anatomo-histological structures of the cervical spine of the goat subjected to a traction force are deformable from 50 kgf of traction force up to 80 kgf. For a constant force, the center of the spine lengthens more than the periphery. The elongation resulting from traction at 20 kgs is beneficial for application in humans in the clinic. This information is essential to us when performing cervical traction in humans, for safe and effective cervical traction.