DISC PROLAPSE AND CONSTITUTIONAL REDUCED FLEXIBILITY

The mechanical behaviour of anulus fibrousus is dependent on collagen fibers and influences the prolaps disposition. The aim of study was th e comparison of constitutional mechanical tissue properties between a group of patients with discus herniation and normal. A computerized fi nger hyperextensiometer was developed which was able to analyse the vi scoelastic tissue properties. In the disc herniation group the hyperex tension angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint was smaller (p<0.001), the relative integral area of the force/angle regression was larger (p <0.001), the relative area under the secant of the curve (p<0.001) and the recover value were smaller (p<0.01). The results suggest that a a nulus fibrosus with consitutional reduced extensibility, stress absorp tion capacity and recovery is disposed to herniation.