Lumbar intervertebral disc and ligament deformations measured in vivo.

The physiologic deformations of the anterior and posterior margins of the annulus fibrosus and the interspinous ligaments were defined in flexion and extension by accurate measurements taken from lateral roentgenograms of the lumbar spines of 11 normal males. The anterior and posterior disc heights were shown to compress and extend up to 35% and 60%, respectively, while the interspinous distance extended up to 369%. In relation to the known mechanical characteristics in vitro, these deformations implied that the soft-tissue elements were lax or in compression during part of the range of motion. Significantly, the interspinous ligament could be active only in the extremes of flexion. These data provide basic information for further studies of the function of the soft parts of the intervertebral joints.