The morphology of osseous structure in subtalar joint with chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: Osseous structures have been demonstrated as risk factors for chronic ankle instability (CAI). Previously, the researchers only focused on the osseous structures of ankle, but ignored the osseous structures of subtalar joint(STJ). Accordingly, the aim of our study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of STJ osseous structures in CAI. METHODS: 52 patients with CAI and 52 sex- and age- matched control subjects were enrolled from The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University. The lateral radiographs of ankle in weight-bearing were used to compare the diversity of the two groups. Specifically, The Length of calcaneus, Calcaneal facet height and Absolute foot height, Böhler's angle, Gissane's angle, Calcaneal inclination angle, Talocalcaneal angle, Tibiotalar angle, Tibiocalcaneal angle, Talar-horizontal angle, talar declination angle, facet inclination angle were gauged in the two groups. RESULTS: The Böhler's angle, Calcaneal inclination, Talocalcaneal angle, Tibiotalar angle, Talar-horizontal angle, Talar declination angle, Facet inclination angle and Absolute foot height of CAI group were significantly higher than normal control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Gissane's angle, Tibiocalcaneal angle, Length of calcaneus and Calcaneal facet height between patients with CAI and normal controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The osseous structures of STJ in CAI patients are different from normal people in morphology. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the changes of STJ anatomical parameters in the diagnosis and prevention of CAI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Ⅲ.

Reliability of musculoskeletal ultrasonography for peri-ankle muscles in subjects with unilateral chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprain is a common problem among active people and athletes. It causes reduces their activity of daily living and quality of life. Because of the impaired muscle strength and neuromuscular and postural control, it seems that the morphological criteria of peri-ankle muscles are changed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a reliable method for measuring tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL) muscles in the injured and intact side of lower limbs in people with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: This study was intra-tester reliability by ultrasound imaging to measure ultrasonography characteristics contains thickness, width, fiber length, pennation angle, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of TA, and PL in both limbs of 25 subjects at three separate times. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), limits of agreement (LOA), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated to analyzed relative and absolute intra-tester reliability, respectively. RESULTS: The present study showed good to excellent relative reliability for both injured and intact sides (ICC 0.88-0.98), less proportional measurement error (ß coefficient of LOA≈ 0), and suitable absolute reliability. CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is a reliable method for the measurement of peri-ankle muscle morphology such as thickness, width, CSA, fiber length, and pennation angle.

Revision Lateral Ankle Reconstruction 40 Years After Chrisman-Snook Procedure: A Case Report.

CASE: A 70-year-old active woman presented with lateral ankle instability 40 years after a lateral ankle reconstruction procedure. Examination demonstrated gross instability, and advanced imaging revealed attenuation of her previous graft. She underwent anatomic reconstruction through a modified Brostrom-Gould technique and was able to return to hiking without pain. CONCLUSION: Recurrent lateral ankle instability after reconstruction represents a unique challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Utilization of a modified Brostrom-Gould procedure with suture tape augmentation is a promising alternative to allograft or autograft reconstruction for patients with active lifestyle goals in the context of recurrent instability.

Massage manipulation vs. low back muscle exercise for lumbar intervertebral instability: A preliminary randomized clinical trial.

This is a preliminary randomized clinical trial on patients conducted at Wuxi Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2015 to December 2016. The patients with intervertebral instability were randomized 1:1 for massage (20 min/day for 6 days) or exercise (3 sessions/day for 15 days). Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability score, and quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) were performed before and after the treatment and at 1 and 3 months thereafter. Improvement rates were noted to be 86.7% and 40.0% in the massage and exercise groups, respectively. Massage group showed significant changes in the JOA and Oswestry disability scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002), while the exercise group did not show any significant change (p > 0.05). Changes in the JOA and Oswestry disability scores were more important in the massage group (p < 0.05). All dynamic imaging parameters were improved in the massage group (all p < 0.05) but not in the exercise group (all p>0.05). These results suggest that the massage manipulation could be an appropriate way to treat intervertebral instability.

Criteria to Screen for Traumatic Cervical Spine Instability: A Consensus of Chiropractic Radiologists.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish consensus on a radiographic definition for cervical instability for routine use in chiropractic patients who sustain trauma to the cervical spine. METHOD: We conducted a modified Delphi study with a panel of chiropractic radiologists. Panelists were asked to rate potential screening criteria for traumatic cervical spine instability when assessing cervical spine radiographs. Items rated as important for inclusion by at least 60% of participants in round 1 were submitted for a second round of voting in round 2. Items rated for inclusion by at least 75% of the participants in round 2 were used to create the consensus-based list of screening criteria. Participants were asked to vote and reach agreement on the final screening criteria list in round 3. RESULTS: Twenty-nine chiropractic radiologists participated in round 1. After 3 rounds of survey, 85% of participants approved the final consensus-based list of criteria for traumatic cervical spine instability screening, including 6 clinical signs and symptoms and 5 radiographic criteria. Participants agreed that the presence of 1 or more of these clinical signs and symptoms and/or 1 or more of the 5 radiographic criteria on routine static radiographic studies suggests cervical instability. CONCLUSION: The consensus-based radiographic definition of traumatic cervical spine instability includes 6 clinical signs and symptoms and 5 radiographic criteria that doctors of chiropractic should apply to their patients who sustain trauma to the cervical spine.

Percutaneous surgery for treatment of epidural spinal cord compression and spinal instability: technical note.

OBJECTIVE An emerging paradigm for treating patients with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) caused by metastatic tumors is surgical decompression and stabilization, followed by stereotactic radiosurgery. In the setting of rapid progressive disease, interruption or delay in return to systemic treatment can lead to a negative impact in overall survival. To overcome this limitation, the authors introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (sLITT) in association with percutaneous spinal stabilization to facilitate a rapid return to oncological treatment. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with ESCC and spinal instability who were considered to be poor surgical candidates and instead were treated with sLITT and percutaneous spinal stabilization. Demographic data, Spine Instability Neoplastic Scale score, degree of epidural compression before and after the procedure, length of hospital stay, and time to return to oncological treatment were analyzed. RESULTS Eight patients were treated with thermal ablation and percutaneous spinal stabilization. The primary tumors included melanoma (n = 3), lung (n = 3), thyroid (n = 1), and renal cell carcinoma (n = 1). The median Karnofsky Performance Scale score before and after the procedure was 60, and the median hospital stay was 5 days (range 3-18 days). The median Spine Instability Neoplastic Scale score was 13 (range 12-16). The mean modified postoperative ESCC score (2.75 ± 0.37) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (4.5 ± 0.27) (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0044). The median time to return to oncological treatment was 5 days (range 3-10 days). CONCLUSIONS The authors present the first cohort of sLITT associated with a percutaneous spinal stabilization for the treatment of ESCC and spinal instability. This minimally invasive technique can allow a faster recovery without prejudice of adjuvant systemic treatment, with adequate local control and spinal stabilization.

Snapping knee caused by a popliteomeniscal fascicle tear of the lateral meniscus in a professional Taekwondo athlete.

A 19-year-old male professional Taekwondo athlete presented with a 2-year history of pain-free snapping of his right knee. He reported that his right knee joint gave way during games and training and that he could induce pain-free snapping between the proximal-to-fibular head and the lateral knee joint line. None of these physical findings suggested a meniscal pathology or ligamentous instability. Routine radiographs were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of his right knee joint showed that the shape of the lateral meniscus was normal, and no lateral meniscus tears existed. On arthroscopic examination, popliteal hiatus view showed a posterosuperior popliteomeniscal fascicle tear between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the posterior joint capsule just posteromedial to the popliteus tendon. With medial traction by probing, this popliteomeniscal tear made visible the significant subluxation of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the center or anterior half of the tibial plateau. Based on the diagnosis of a posterosuperior popliteomeniscal tear of the right knee, Fast-Fix (Smith & Nephew, Andover, Massachusetts) was used for the direct repair of the peripheral portion of the lateral meniscus and joint capsule, targeting the popliteomeniscal junction. At 24 months postoperatively, the patient was performing athletic exercises relevant to his profession and was taking part in Taekwondo games, with no pain or recurrence of snapping. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of snapping of the lateral aspect of the knee due to a popliteomeniscal fascicle tear.

Brain stem compression and atlantoaxial instability secondary to chronic rheumatoid arthritis in a 67-year-old female.

OBJECTIVE: This case study describes a patient with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine who presented with significant bone destruction, gross joint derangement, and a potentially life-threatening complication, basilar invagination with brain stem compression. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging, and surgical management are discussed. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 67-year-old female presented to a chiropractic clinic with chronic neck pain of 30 years of duration complicated by rheumatoid arthritis. Her neck pain had recently exacerbated and was radiating into her trapezius muscle and shoulders. She also reported a recent onset of mild dysphagia. The patient was referred to a neurosurgeon for consultation and management. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated significant bone destruction, gross joint derangement, and basilar invagination. There was moderate stenosis of the foramen magnum secondary to basilar invagination with significant brain stem compression. The patient underwent surgical stabilization fusion from the occiput to T2 using a posterior approach. Her pain severity was lessened after surgery, and the dysphagia had not progressed suggesting stabilization of brain stem compression. CONCLUSION: Patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine often present with chronic neck pain. Cervical spine instability may arise from rheumatoid osteolysis and is also secondary to horizontal or vertical subluxation of the atlantoaxial and occipitoatlantal regions, respectively. High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation of the upper cervical spine is an absolute contraindication in cases of atlantoaxial instability. A timely diagnosis and favorable surgical outcome provided relief from a potentially life-threatening disorder. This case exemplifies the clinical caution necessary for managing patients with chronic cervical spine pain complicated by rheumatoid arthritis.

Varus instability of the hallux interphalangeal joint in a taekwondo athlete.

The hallux interphalangeal joint is stable in the transverse plane and there have been only a few reports of varus instability of this joint. A case is described of varus subluxation of the hallux interphalangeal joint in a taekwondo athlete and the surgical outcome after reconstruction of the collateral ligament. Taekwondo athletes, who require fast powerful kicks, should be warned about this type of forefoot injury.

The treatment of chronic coccydynia with intrarectal manipulation: a randomized controlled study.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized open study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intrarectal manual treatment of chronic coccydynia; and to determine the factors predictive of a good outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In 2 open uncontrolled studies, the success rate of intrarectal manipulation of the coccyx was around 25%. METHODS: Patients were randomized into 2 groups of 51 patients each: 1 group received three sessions of coccygeal manipulation, and the other low-power external physiotherapy. The manual treatment was guided by the findings on stress radiographs. Patients were assessed, at 1 month and 6 months, using a VAS and (modified) McGill Pain, Paris (functional coccydynia impact), and (modified) Dallas Pain questionnaires. RESULTS: At baseline, the 2 groups were similar regarding all parameters. At 1 month, all the median VAS and questionnaire values were modified by -34.7%, -36.0%, -20.0%, and -33.8%, respectively, in the manipulation group, versus -19.1%, -7.7%, 20.0%, and -15.7%, respectively, in the control (physiotherapy) group (P = 0.09 [borderline], 0.03, 0.02, and 0.02, respectively). Good results were twice as frequent in the manipulation group compared with the control group, at 1 month (36% vs. 20%, P = 0.075) and at 6 months (22% vs. 12%, P = 0.18). The main predictors of a good outcome were stable coccyx, shorter duration, traumatic etiology, and lower score in the affective parts of the McGill and Dallas questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: We found a mild effectiveness of intrarectal manipulation in chronic coccydynia.

An analysis of pubis symphysis misalignment using plain film radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To show, using a laboratory model, the inherent problems and test the validity of viewing actual pubis symphysis misalignment via plain film radiography in humans. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiment of pubic bone and pubis symphysis model alignment as determined through projected imaging with collimated light. RESULTS: The shadows cast by plastic models did not accurately reflect the physical reality. The image representations of the pubic bones with significant misalignment appeared as "normal." Some of the misalignments were viewed in the exact opposite alignment on the projected image as compared with the physical reality. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that misalignment of the pubic bones cannot be reliably viewed on a standard anteroposterior lumbopelvic radiograph. The results show the potential for missed diagnoses of clinical significance. Additional research on pelvic joint dysfunction and imaging problems is needed.

Integrated outcome assessment after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: myelocompression but not adjacent instability affect patient-reported quality of life and cervical spine symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: Integrated assessment of adjacent instability (AI), myelocompression (MC), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of myelopathy (MRISM), physician-assessed clinical signs and symptoms, including clinical signs of myelopathy (CSM), patients' self-reported symptoms and quality of life after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who had ACDF between 1986 and 1995 received MRI scans, conventional and flexion/extension radiographs to assess myelocompression, MRISM, fusion, and AI. Clinical outcome was assessed using signs and symptoms based on selected items of Odom's criteria, Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire, and the neck disability index. Patients reported their quality of life (QL) on a standardized instrument (Profiles of QL of Chronically Ill [PLC]) and by a specific validated Cervical Spine Symptom Scale (CSSS). RESULTS: Myelocompression was found more frequently than expected (24%). MRISM were seen in 2 patients (4%). One of the 2 patients developed CSM. Fusion was achieved in 94% (with kyphosis in 17%). AI was found in 30%. However, only myelocompression but not AI was associated with statistically significant decreases in most QL scores (i.e., everyday capabilities, positive mood) and high cervical spine symptom burden (all P's < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study results underline the need for a better understanding of the biomechanical changes in the adjacent unfused segments. Consensus is needed on postoperative follow-up guidelines, including pain management strategies. Future studies on the outcome of ACDF will profit from an integrated outcome approach, including assessments based on imaging, physicians, and patients.

Clinical and functional outcome of the Thrust Plate Prosthesis: short- and medium-term results.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the functional outcome after implantation of a Thrust Plate Prosthesis. DESIGN: This retrospective study compared the gait patterns of 33 patients to a control group. BACKGROUND: Few studies have been published about this type of prosthesis describing clinical and radiographic outcome. Even though the evaluation of the functional outcome is a commonly accepted way to measure the success of an implant it has not been reported in previous studies. METHODS: Beside clinical (SF-36, and Harris Hip Score) and radiographic evaluation subjects were examined by three dimensional gait analysis and surface electromyography from seven leg and trunk muscles bilaterally. RESULTS: The average Harris Hip Score was 85.7 points, and the SF-36 only differed significantly from controls regarding physical functioning. The radiography showed considerable radiolucencies under the Thrust Plate. Kinematic parameters indicated a slight impairment of the operated limb. The analysis revealed a decreased hip (28.2%) and knee (51.2%) range of motion during gait. The joint moments on the operated side were reduced in hip (72%) and knee abduction (59%) in comparison to controls. The average electromyographic parameters indicated a significantly higher mean and peak amplitude of the tensor fasciae latae (mean 56%, peak 54%), and gluteus medius (mean 33%, peak 21%) and a lower peak activity of the gluteus maximus (19%). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a generally good functional outcome even though a slightly asymmetrical loading was observed. No major limitations in physical functioning and health-related quality of life was seen. The radiographic signs of loosening might indicate difficulties in achieving the proximal load transfer of this implant. RELEVANCE: The data provided in this study may serve to establish the Thrust Plate Prosthesis as an alternative procedure in total hip replacement in younger patients.

Case study: acceleration/deceleration injury with angular kyphosis.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the case of a patient who received upper cervical chiropractic care after trauma-induced arcual kyphosis in the cervical spine. A practical application of conservative management for posttrauma cervical spine injury in the private office setting is described. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 17-year-old female patient suffered an unstable C3/C4 motor segment after a lateral-impact motor vehicle collision. Additional symptoms on presentation included vertigo, tinnitus, neck and shoulder pain, and confusion. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Conservative management consisted exclusively of upper cervical-specific adjustments guided by radiographic analysis and paraspinal bilateral skin temperature differential analysis of the cervical spine. During 10 weeks of care and 22 office visits, all symptoms subsided and the instability of C3/C4 motor segment appeared to be completely resolved. CONCLUSION: This study provides support for the use of upper cervical chiropractic management in cervical spine trauma cases. The clinical work-up consisted of physical examination, radiographic analysis, computer-administered and scored cognitive function testing, and audiometric examination. After conservative care, these examinations were repeated and demonstrated that the objective findings concurred with the subjective improvements reported by the patient.

Risk factors for adjacent-segment failure following lumbar fixation with rigid instrumentation for degenerative instability.

OBJECT: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 125 consecutive patients in whom instrumentation was placed to promote lumbar fusion for the treatment of degenerative instability. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. The authors sought to determine the risk factors for next-segment degeneration after lumbar spinal fusion with rigid instrumentation. METHODS: Thirty-one of 125 fusion procedures were performed in women who were postmenopausal. A total of 18 of 125 patients developed symptomatic next-segment degeneration at a previously asymptomatic level; 15 were postmenopausal women. Data were obtained in patients with next-segment failure based on radiographic studies, neurological assessment, demographic factors, and sequential follow-up examinations. The mean follow-up period for this group was 44.8 months. All women were postmenopausal, and 53% received biphosphonate drugs and calcium supplementation preoperatively for osteopenia. Twenty percent of all patients with next-segment failure were cigarette smokers. Next-segment diseases included spondylolisthesis (39%), spinal canal stenosis due to disc herniation and/or facet hypertrophy (33%), stress fracture of the adjacent vertebral body (28%), and scoliosis (17%). Patients frequently had more than one degenerative process at the next segment. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of adjacent-segment failure is clearly higher for patients in whom lumbar fusion with rigid instrumentation is performed to treat degenerative instability. This risk appears to be especially high in postmenopausal women.

Upper cervical instability: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to examine the internal validity of the standardized clinical stability tests for the upper cervical spine in relation to symptomatology. Whether radiology can confirm the clinical diagnosis is also examined. The importance of radiology in this situation, the pathogenesis and the prevalence of atlanto-axial hypermobility and the clinical symptomatology are discussed. DATA SOURCES: A literature search from January 1984 to March 1995. We consulted the CD-ROM Medline with the keywords "atlanto-axial instability," "atlanto-axial dislocation," "hypermobility," "cervical spine" and "atlanto-axial joint." Ninety-six Dutch, French, German, and English publications were selected. The Documentation Centre of the Institute for Research and Postgraduate Education Physiotherapy (SWSF) was consulted with the keywords: atlanto-axial joint, upper cervical spine, segmental examination, interobserver-reliability, intraobserver-reliability, interobserver variation, intraobserver variation, manual therapy, examination, diagnostics. Finally, recent developments and views published during this study were added. RESULTS: There seems to be no correlation between the amount of hypermobility or subluxation and the presence of clinical signs or neurological signs. The clinical signs can vary from relatively diffuse complaints, no symptoms and signs to serious ones. Radiology does not seem to be a reliable diagnostic mechanism in relation to upper-cervical instability. Conventional X-rays fail to give adequate information about atlanto-axial stability. CT-scan and MRI can visualize much more because of the direct sagittal projection but neither is an absolute standard. Furthermore, in relation to upper-cervical hypermobility, the validity of radiology is under debate. CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between the measure of hypermobility and the presence of clinical symptoms. Also, the validity of the upper-cervical stability tests is questionable. In diagnostics, every radiological examination measures anatomical and morphological variables, not functional variables. Despite this, CT and MRI should be preferred in diagnostics over conventional functional radiology.

Conservative management of posttraumatic cervical intersegmental hypermobility and anterior subluxation.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the case of a young male football player who sustained a hyperflexion cervical injury, including radiographic evidence of intersegmental hypermobility and translational displacement with cervical hypolordosis and anterior subluxation. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient suffered from neck pain, spasm, limited range of motion and mild sclerogenous referred arm pain. The results of neurological exams were normal. Radiographs of the cervical spine revealed cervical hypolordosis, intersegmental hypermobility and anterior subluxation. MRI was normal, with no evidence of disk herniation. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was immobilized for the first 10 days with a cervical collar and was administered adjunctive physiotherapy. Light cervical manipulative techniques were added in the subacute stage, as were isometric and tubing exercises. The patient responded quickly and favorably to care. Subsequent radiographs revealed a reversal and resolution of the abnormal findings of the cervical hypolordosis, anterior subluxation and intersegmental hypermobility that were initially seen. CONCLUSION: Conservative chiropractic management of hyperflexion injuries may be useful in reducing clinical symptoms, cervical hypolordosis, anterior subluxation and intersegmental hypermobility, as seen in follow-up radiographs. Chiropractic sports physicians have the diagnostic and therapeutic expertise to manage these types of athletic injuries.

Parameters in electrode positioning in thoracic percutaneous facet denervation: an anatomical study.

The purpose of the present study was to verify if needle placement in thoracic percutaneous facet denervation (PFD), based on bony landmarks, and under fluoroscopic guidance, would lead to constant anatomical positioning; and hence to an adequate placement at the assumed target, i.e., the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the spinal nerve; and furthermore to determine if interpretation of the needle position by CT is more reliable than by fluoroscopy. The procedures were carried out bilaterally at all 12 levels on two cadavers, simulating the clinical setting as much as possible. In 44 cases the position of the needles was determined on hard copies of fluoroscopic images, 1.5 mm interval CT-images, surface-photographs, and on counterstained 25 microns sections obtained by a multirange heavy duty cryomicrotome. The sections established that standardized use of bony landmarks under fluoroscopic control can result in reproducible anatomical needle positioning in thoracic PFD. Nervous tissue was hit in 27 (61%) cases, but the supposed target structure, i.e., the medial branch "stem" was never hit. In none of the procedures was an accidental pleural puncture observed. The correlation between fluoroscopic images and sections was poor. The correlation between CT and sections was better, except for the mediolateral direction. The results of the present study suggest that "pure" anatomical positioning based on bony landmarks analogous to those used in the lumbar region is not reliable enough for thoracic PFD, and that corrections after electrostimulation substantially contribute to obtaining an adequate position of the needle.

The radiology of cervical spine injury.

Cervical spine injury is a frequent sequelae of accidental trauma. Clinical evaluation often fails to raise adequate suspicion of an underlying injury. Radiologic assessment frequently reveals recognizable signs of damage ranging from fractures to joint and soft tissue injuries. This paper reviews the pathomechanics, clinical and radiologic features of the most common patterns of cervical spine injury.

Clinical instability of the lumbar spine.

Instability of the lumbar spine, as a clinical entity, is poorly understood. Clinical instability appears to be the symptomatic presentation during the degenerative phase that occurs between segmental dysfunction and segmental restabilization, as defined by Kirkaldy-Willis. A typical case of clinical instability of the lumbar spine is presented, along with suggested conservative therapy measures.