# RECONSTRUCTION OF ONE LEVEL CERVICAL SPINAL INSTABILITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 1988 · $91,997

## Abstract

Rehabilitation from acute quadriplegia is frequently complicated by
coexistent cervical spinal instability, in many cases secondary to
ligamentous damage.  Without surgery such injuries require bracing for
three to six months often with the cumbersome halo-vest.  Not only does
this impede physical rehabilitation but even after its prolonged use,
chronic spinal instability may still result.  A variety of surgical
procedures exist for reconstruction of the ligamentously unstable cervical
spine.  Few have a logical basis in preliminary research, but instead
represent an individual's personal clinical experience and when attempted
by others often have an unacceptable incidence of complication.

The purpose of this project is to develop a canine cervical ligamentous
instability model.  Acute instability will be produced in a single spinal
motion segment.  Different general reconstructions will be applied to the
model.  The progression of instability in the model and the way in which
the reconstructions alter it will be objectively studied by:

1. Serial Radiographs

2. Overload and, in some cases fatigue, flexion and extension mechanical
testing using a Materials Test System - 810 Unit to generate the following
mechanical parameters:

A. Construct Shear and Angular stiffness, ultimate strength and energy
absorption to failure.

B. Total Shear and Angulation to failure.

C. Number  of cycles to failure for Constructs tested in fatigue.

D. Changing Construct stiffness as a function of number of cycles for
Constructs tested in fatigue.

The above data will be statistically analyzed .

3. Histological slides of the interface between the reconstruction
materials and the original spinal elements.

The above studies will be obtained (from different experimental animals) at
montly intervals postoperatively up to three months.  A stability continuum
for the different reconstructions will thus be created from which their
strengths, weaknesses and specifc indications will be defined in a
laboratory setting.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3156590
- **Project number:** 5R01AR033590-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JJG6HU8PA4S5
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD WHITEHILL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $91,997
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-02-01 → 1989-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3156590

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3156590, RECONSTRUCTION OF ONE LEVEL CERVICAL SPINAL INSTABILITY (5R01AR033590-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3156590. Licensed CC0.

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