Virtual Reality Assisted Measurement of In-Vivo Cervical Spine Kinematics

Abstract In-vivo biomechanical studies of cervical spine movements are useful for defining “kinematic envelopes” of motion. Data are readily available on the ranges-of-motion of the cervical spine in flexion/extension, left/right lateral bending, and left/right axial rotation [1]. There is increasing evidence that “combined movements” may also be of clinical importance [2,3,4]. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that axial rotation limits active flexion/extension of the cervical spine. We used a specially developed measurement system featuring a 3-D magnetic tracking device with virtual reality technology that enables subjects to perform combined movements that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.