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A Combined Anatomical and Biomechanical Approach to the Sacro-Iliac Joints

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Interfaces in Medicine and Mechanics—2

Abstract

The amount of friction between the articular surfaces of the sacro-iliac joints (SI-joints) was determined and related to the degree of macroscopical roughening. Results show that articular surfaces with both coarse texture and ridges and depressions have high friction coefficients. The influence of ridges and depressions appears to be of greater influence than coarse texture. The data are compatible with the view that roughening of the SI-joint concerns a physiological process.

Movement in the SI-joints was measured in preparation of embalmed cadavers of elder humans and correlated with a radiographic survey. The pelvis was fixed at the fifth lumbar vertebra. The connections between sacrum and fifth lumbar vertebra were spared, as were the surrounding ligaments. To induce movement, forces were directed at the acetabula.

In the sagittal plane both ventral rotation (as part of nutation) and dorsal rotation (as part of contranutation) could be demonstrated. Most SI-joints were mobile, allowing — for the combination of nutation and contranutation — total rotation of up to 4°. Larger rotation can be expected in young people. The SI-joint with the lowest mobility showed radiographically marked arthrosis. The importance of intra-individual differences is emphasized.

Based on studies of embalmed specimens, the sacrotuberous ligaments are considered to be important structures in the kinematic chain between the pelvis and vertebral column. Muscles attached to these ligaments, such as the gluteus maximus, and in some individuals the piriformis and long head of the biceps femoris, may influence movement in the SI-joints. The effect of load application to the sacrotuberous ligament was studied on rotation in the SI-joint. It was shown that load application along the direction of hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles significantly diminished ventral rotation of the sacrum. The results imply that loading the sacrotuberous ligament restricts nutation of the sacrum. Consequently, muscles attached to the sacrotuberous ligaments, such as gluteus maximus, and in certain individuals the long head of the biceps, can dynamically influence movement and stability of the SI-joints.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 1738, 3000, DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    A. Vleeming Phd & R. Stoeckart Phd

  2. Department of Biomedical Physics and Technology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 1738, 3000, DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    C. J. Snijders Phd & J. P. Van Wingerden

Authors
  1. A. Vleeming Phd
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  2. R. Stoeckart Phd
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  3. C. J. Snijders Phd
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  4. J. P. Van Wingerden
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Basic Dental Science, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK

    K. R. Williams

  2. Orthopaedic Clinic, University of Bologna, Italy

    A. Toni

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Swansea, UK

    J. Middleton

  4. University of Bologna, Italy

    G. Pallotti

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© 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd

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Vleeming, A., Stoeckart, R., Snijders, C.J., Van Wingerden, J.P. (1991). A Combined Anatomical and Biomechanical Approach to the Sacro-Iliac Joints. In: Williams, K.R., Toni, A., Middleton, J., Pallotti, G. (eds) Interfaces in Medicine and Mechanics—2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3852-9_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3852-9_39

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-583-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3852-9

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