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. 1985 Apr;10(3):255-6.
doi: 10.1097/00007632-198504000-00013.

Biomechanical definitions of spinal instability

M H Pope, M Panjabi

Biomechanical definitions of spinal instability

M H Pope et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1985 Apr.

Abstract

Instability is a mechanical entity, and an unstable structure is one that is not in a optimal state of equilibrium. In the spine, stability is affected by restraining structures that, if damaged or lax, will lend to altered equilibrium and thus instability. Instability is defined as loss of stiffness.

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