Dentate Ligament Cord Distortion Hypothesis
We know according to the Dentate Ligament Cord Distortion Hypothesis, the dentate ligament holds the spinal cord to as the anterior half or at about two o’clock position of the spinal cord. Its primary function is to pass on the pressure of stress as a result distortive forces to the dura. Pressure exerted by the dentate ligament on the spinal cord produces mechanical distortion of the spinal cord which causes mechanical irritation and vascular compromise of the cord.
Because of the diameter of the neural canal and the space between the cord and the wall of the canal, compression of the cord in the upper cervical region requires much larger displacements than are typically found.
Proprioceptive insult theory cannot explain all sensory phenomena, i.e.: sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, why a person experiences an electric shock or warmth in the lower extremity simultaneously with the adjustment.
Chronic tension on the dentate ligament produces thickening or toughening of the ligament, which causes a decrease ability to dampen distortive forces.
The spinocerebellar tract has the largest type A fibers axons and is located at the site of maximum mechanical irritation. A cervical subluxation can yield lower extremity findings because the muscles of the pelvis are affected by pressure on this tract and result in a short or contractured leg.
The spinothalamic tract is responsible for heat sensations and the feeling of electric shock.
Cranial nerve V neuralgia may also be caused by cord compression as explained by this hypothesis. The Cranial nerve V nucleus is located in the cervical spine as low as the C4 level. When C1 is anterior on the side of atlas laterality the Cranial nerve V nucleus is tr actioned, thus possibly causing face pain in trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.