The Effects of the Degenerative Changes in the Functional Spinal Unit on the Kinematics of the Cervical Spine

Abstract

Our results suggest that cervical cord compression may cause deterioration of cervical cord function and kinematic changes in the cervical spine. We hypothesize that the spinal cord may potentially protect its functions from dynamic mechanical cord compression by restricting segmental motion, and these mechanisms may be closely related to the intervertebral discs.