Immobilization Degeneration & the Fixation Hypothesis of Chiropractic Subluxation
A Review of the Literature Related to the Degeneration of Connective Tissue Following Joint Immobilization: Implications Concerning the Fixation Hypothesis of Chiropractic Subluxations
Chiropractic Research Journal 1988; 1 (1): 21–46 ~ FULL TEXT
The literature was reviewed concerning the effects of joint immobilization on the degeneration of articular and periarticular connective tissue. Every connective tissue component of an articulation is affected by immobilization, and each major component is discussed individually; these include the articular cartilage, synovium, articular capsule, periarticular ligaments, subchondral bone, the intervertebral disc and the meninges.
Degenerative Changes Following Spinal Fixation in a Small Animal Model
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2004 (Mar); 27 (3): 141–154
Fixed segments had more degenerative changes than nonfixed segments for all Z joint parameters (ANOVA, P <.0001). Osteophyte formation and ASD were directly dependent on duration of fixation. These findings indicate that fixation (hypomobility) results in time-dependent degenerative changes of the zygapophysial joints. You may also enjoy reviewing the
FCER research project that led to the publication of this article.
Does Early Joint Trauma Lead to Osteoarthritis?
Annals of Internal Medicine 2000 (Sep 5); 133 (5): 321–328
This page describes the increased risk of oateoarthritis following trauma, then reveals that surgery also increases that risk, and goes on to suggest that those risks can be reduced with
conservative chiropractic care.
Spinal Manipulation May Help Reduce Spinal Degenerative Joint Disease and Disability:
Part I
Dynamic Chiropractic 1994; March 25
Historically the manipulable joint lesion has, from the beginning of the chiropractic profession, been described as a painful stiff joint. [1,2] Joint stiffness, commonly called hypomobility (also known in the chiropractic profession as "fixation") has become by consensus one of the most important aspects of the manipulable joint lesion in the professions of chiropractic, osteopathy, and manual medicine. [3,4] Nearly 100 years of clinical agreement between three separate professions supports the existence of such a lesion although research now supports its existence. Part I of this article describes the relationship between "joint fixation" and loss of normal range of motion (ROM), and ties this to the development of arthritic changes, as reported in the scientific literature.
Spinal Manipulation May Help Reduce Spinal Degenerative Joint Disease and Disability:
Part II
Dynamic Chiropractic 1994; April 22
Part II reports the improvements in ROM and function following spinal manipulation, and suggests that additional research is needed to determine exactly what degree of hypomobility must develop to initiate the onset of degenerative joint disease. There are 86 citations (with some overlap) which support their contention that osteoarthritis can be halted and even reversed with spinal adjusting.
The Accuracy of Manual Diagnosis for Cervical Zygapophysial Joint Pain Syndromes
Med J Aust 1988; 148 (5) Mar 7: 233–236
The manipulative therapist identified correctly all 15 patients with proven symptomatic zygapophysial joints, and specified correctly the segmental level of the symptomatic joint. None of the five patients with asymptomatic joints was misdiagnosed as having symptomatic zygapophysial joints. Thus, manual diagnosis by a trained manipulative therapist can be as accurate as can radiologically-controlled diagnostic blocks in the diagnosis of cervical zygapophysial syndromes.
Electromyographic Analysis of Neck Muscle Fatigue in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Spine
Spine 1994; 19 (5) Mar 1: 502–506
This indicates a higher fatigue of the anterior and posterior neck muscles associated with arthritic changes of the cervical spine. Rehabilitation programs must consider these muscular changes to obtain optimal outcomes.
Effectiveness of Upper Versus Lower Cervical Adjustments with Respect to the Amelioration of Passive Rotational Versus Lateral-flexion End-range Asymmetries in Otherwise Asymptomatic Subjects
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992; 15 (2) Feb: 99–105
Goniometric evaluation both prior to, and again within 30 min following treatments revealed that lower cervical adjustments were far more effective for the amelioration of lateral-flexion asymmetries than were upper cervical ones, whereas upper cervical adjustments were found to be more effective for the amelioration of rotational asymmetries than those delivered to the lower cervical region. These results are consistent with the view that passive movement restriction exhibited along the rotational axis is attributable to factors related primarily to the upper cervical region, whereas restrictions of passive movement along the lateral axis are more attributable to factors related to the lower cervical region.
Chiropractic And Osteoarthritis
University of Maryland Medical Center Web Site
Although there is no evidence that chiropractic care can reverse the joint degeneration that causes OA, some studies indicate that spinal manipulation may:
- increase range of motion
- restore normal movement of the spine
- relax the muscles
- improve joint coordination
- reduce pain
In fact, a comprehensive review of the scientific literature suggests that chiropractic, especially when combined with glucosamine supplements and rehabilitative stretches and exercise, is an effective supplemental treatment
for OA.
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