Biomechanical Tolerances for Pain:
Integrating Mechanics, Physiology and Behavior

Dr. Beth A. Winkelstein
Department of Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania

Abstract
While it has long been speculated that biomechanics modulate aspects of the pain cascade for neck and low back injuries, our lab has initiated efforts to define mechanical tolerances for pain. In particular, biomechanical studies suggest facet joint injuries can result from cervical spine loading that causes altered local mechanics for the joint’s capsular ligament. Similarly, compression of the nerve root can initiate onset and maintenance of pain. While there is support for both of these mechanical injuries in producing pain, the specific physiologic mechanisms and the affect of mechanics on such responses remain speculative. We have recently developed in vivo rodent models of mechanically induced pain which provide unique tools for investigating biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of painful injuries to ligaments and neural tissue. This work incorporates the simultaneous measurement of biomechanics, behavioral sequelae (pain) and aspects of the nociceptive cascade contributing to the onset and maintenance of pain. Aspects of the nociceptive physiologic cascade are also quantified for insight into cellular mechanisms of persistent neck pain. These findings are presented and integrated to begin to define mechanical thresholds for pain, and to determine mechanical and physiological meanings for subfailure injuries.

Thursday, February 2, 2006
337 Towne Bldg.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.