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Faculty of Engineering
 

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Donal McNally

Professor of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering

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Biography

Professor Donal McNally is Head of the Human Factors Research Group.

Expertise Summary

Spinal Biomechanics

The major focus of my research is in the field of spinal mechanics, particularly the mechanical function of the intervertebral disc and how this relates to internal structure. To further my research goals, I have developed a wide range of expertise ranging from functional and anatomical imaging, through standard biomechanical testing, to highly novel techniques to quantify the internal mechanical behaviour of intact skeletal structures.

Biomechanical Evaluation

I have considerable experience in the mechanical evaluation of both intact spinal segments and medical devices such as total disc replacements, motion preserving stabilisation systems and fusion devices.

In addition to conventional loading and bending testing, I have developed a number of techniques that allow me to study the internal mechanical behaviour of disc tissues. Internal stresses can be quantified using a needle mounted transducer that can measure the compressive stress within the extracellular matrix in two orthogonal directions. Internal displacements and strains can be quantified using a combination of clinical and high frequency ultrasound techniques. Clinical ultrasound permits internal structures, such as individual lamellae, to be imaged and tracked throughout a loading cycle. Scanning acoustic microscopy permits fibre orientation to be measured as discrete points within the outer annulus.

The ability to quantify both the internal and external mechanical function of intervertebral discs permits me to determine the effects of treatments, such as radio-frequency heating probes, and the effects of surgery on adjacent levels.

Implant Design

To be able to design an implant effectively it is important to know a number of things; what the dysfunction is that needs to be corrected, what the device needs to be able to do, what effect the device will have on adjacent structures, and how the device is likely to fail or degrade.

My considerable experience in the field of spinal mechanics is of great value in identifying the underlying mechanical failure or dysfunction that leads to conditions such as discogenic back pain. In most cases sensitive diagnostic techniques need to be developed before the correct treatment can be selected. My work with transducer systems and functional imaging is directed, in part, to improving diagnosis so that treatment outcomes can be improved.

The motion and load bearing nature of spinal segments is highly complex compared to other joints such as hips and knees. For example the intervertebral disc rotates about 3 axes and translates in 3 directions. Similarly the spatial location of the axes of rotation change with motion and disease. I have considerable expertise in disc mechanics and kinematics.

Structures such as the intervertebral disc or facet joint have an enormous mechanical influence on the surrounding structures. Any implant design that does not replicate these effects, or that introduces new mechanical conditions for the surrounding structures, is likely to fail or create further clinical problems. I am able to evaluate the performance of such devices and determine their effects on surrounding structures.

Clearly, the level of experienced mechanical testing that I can provide is of great importance in determine the failure characteristics of devices, or their interface with the body. Such failures can occur in conditions of simple overload, repetitive fatigue loading, or high strain rate 'impact' type loads.

Mechanical and Physiological Modeling

There is a limit to the understanding of spinal mechanics that can be gained through experiment. Frequently, greater insight can be gained through the use of mathematical models. Clearly, the ability to combine both experiment and theory so that one can develop from the other is of great value.

The mechanics and nutrition of the disc are interdependent. This is largely because the disc is 60-80% water that is free to move, under the influence of mechanical loads, both within the disc and in and out of it. Nutritional and other metabolites are convected on such mechanically induced flows, but also move by diffusion along concentration gradients. Such gradients are created by the metabolic activity of the cells within the disc, but such activity is also dependant on the concentration of the metabolites and therefore the nutritional pathways. Similarly the metabolic activity of the disc cells determines the composition of the extracellular matrix and therefore its mechanical and diffusive properties.

I have considerable experience modelling the disc as a multiphase system, and also in modelling the respirational metabolism of the disc cells. Similarly, I am experienced in modelling the mechanically complex behaviour of the disc and how this affects the tissues of the disc itself, and also adjacent structures such as the vertebral endplate.

Impact Biomechanics

Another important aspect of my work is the field of impact biomechanics, where my research focuses on the mechanical behaviour of tissues, such as ligament and bone, and whole structures, such as limbs, under loading conditions comparable to those found in automotive accidents.

Pedestrian Safety

Accidents involving pedestrians and other people external to vehicles are one of the largest causes of fatalities and serious injury on the roads. Unlike occupants of vehicles where position and motion can be controlled by restraint systems and airbags, pedestrians are hit directly by the car. Understanding of these impacts requires a detailed knowledge of the behaviour of tissues, such as bone, and parts of the body, such as legs.

Injury Thresholds and Criteria

The unique test facilities at the Institute of Biomechanics permit the mechanisms of injuries, such as ankle fractures in car crashes and brain damage in baby shaking, to be investigated and quantitative injury thresholds and criteria to be determined. This information is useful for 'calibrating' ATDs (crash test dummies) and drafting safety legislation.

High Strain Rate/Impact Testing

My laboratory is equipped with a combination of facilities for evaluating biological tissues and structures at high strain rates that is unique within the United Kingdom. These facilities include; a crash track capable of programmed acceleration of up to 100g, a 2m drop tower, and a pneumatic impact gun capable of propelling 10kg specimens into targets at velocities up to 11ms-1.

Research Summary

My research vision is to solve important healthcare problems using my understanding of and expertise in soft tissue biomechanics.

My primary research focus is back pain, which is estimated to cost the UK 拢12.3 billion in healthcare and social costs. research prizes, and total disc replacements that have been implanted throughout Europe.

I also have a focus on engineering solutions to reduce the numbers of fatalities (currently around 1800 per year), and serious injuries on British roads. This work has been cited by the Transport Select Committee in the areas of whiplash injuries and bicycle safety.

Selected Publications

  • SHERLOCK KE, TURNER W, ELSAYED S, BAGOURI M, BAHA L, BOSZCZYK BM and MCNALLY D, 2015. Spine. 40(15), 1213-8
  • DIXON, JAMES E., SHAH, DISHEET A., ROGERS, CATHERINE, HALL, STEPHEN, WESTON, NICOLA, PARMENTER, CHRISTOPHER D. J., MCNALLY, DONAL, DENNING, CHRIS and SHAKESHEFF, KEVIN M., 2014. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 111(15), 5580-5585
  • MCNALLY DS and WHITEHEAD S, 2013. Accident; analysis and prevention. 60, 15-23
  • MCNALLY, D., NAYLOR, J. and JOHNSON, S., 2012. European Spine Journal. 21(Supplement 5), S612-S617

Click here for my ResearcherID profile:

Past Research

Bone architecture and mechanical charactarisation

Future Research

I welcome enquiries from potential PhD candidates from Home, EU and international countries who are interested in the following research areas: Spinal Biomechanics, Biomechanical Evaluation, Implant Design, Impact Biomechanics, Injury Mechanisms.

  • DI LORITO, C., BOSCO, A., RAI, H., CRAVEN, M., MCNALLY, D., TODD, C., BOOTH, V., COWLEY, A., HOWE, L. and HARWOOD, R. H., 2022. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on digital health interventions for people living with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 37(6),
  • PARTRIDGE, T., GHERMAN, L., MORRIS, D., LIGHT, R., LESLIE, A., SHARKEY, D., MCNALLY, D. and CROWE, J., 2021. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine.
  • PARTRIDGE, T. J., MORRIS, D. E., LIGHT, R. A., LESLIE, A., SHARKEY, D., CROWE, J. A. and MCNALLY, D. S., 2020.
  • ISAIA, C., MCMASTER, S. A. and MCNALLY, D., 2020.
  • THOMPSON A, MCNALLY D, MASKERY I and LEACH R K, 2017. Int. J. Metrol. Qual. Eng.. 8, 17
  • BLAXTER L, YEO M, MCNALLY D, CROWE J, HENRY C, HILL S, MANSFIELD N, LESLIE A and SHARKEY D, 2017. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine. 231(2), 99-113
  • ISAIA C, MCNALLY D, MCMASTER SA and BRANSON DT, 2017. Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference. 2016, 6058-6061
  • SHERLOCK KE, TURNER W, ELSAYED S, BAGOURI M, BAHA L, BOSZCZYK BM and MCNALLY D, 2015. Spine. 40(15), 1213-8
  • QUAH C, YEOMAN MS, CIZINAUSKAS A, COOPER KC, PEIRCE NS, MCNALLY DS and BOSZCZYK BM, 2014. The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society. 14(4), 675-82
  • DIXON, JAMES E., SHAH, DISHEET A., ROGERS, CATHERINE, HALL, STEPHEN, WESTON, NICOLA, PARMENTER, CHRISTOPHER D. J., MCNALLY, DONAL, DENNING, CHRIS and SHAKESHEFF, KEVIN M., 2014. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 111(15), 5580-5585
  • HASAN MS, CARPENTER N, WEI TL, MCNALLY D, AHMED I and BOSZCZYK BM, 2014. Journal of applied biomaterials & functional materials. 12(3), 203-9
  • MCNALLY, D.S. and ROSENBERG, N.M., 2013. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 59(October), 469-478
  • PRIDE R, GIDDINGS D, RICHENS D and MCNALLY DS, 2013. Accident; analysis and prevention. 55, 144-53
  • MCNALLY DS and WHITEHEAD S, 2013. Accident; analysis and prevention. 60, 15-23
  • MCNALLY, D. S. and WHITEHEAD, S., 2013. ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION. 60, 15-23
  • MCNALLY, D. S. and ROSENBERG, N. M., 2013. ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION. 59, 469-478
  • PRIDE, R., GIDDINGS, D., RICHENS, D. and MCNALLY, D. S., 2013. ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION. 55, 144-153
  • MCNALLY, D., NAYLOR, J. and JOHNSON, S., 2012. European Spine Journal. 21(Supplement 5), S612-S617
  • LEACH R, MCNALLY D, BASHIR M, SASTRY P, CUERDEN R, RICHENS D and FIELD M, 2012. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 73(4), 977-82
  • ARUN, R., FREEMAN, B.J.C., SCAMMELL, B.E., MCNALLY, D.S., COX, E. and GOWLAND, P., 2009. Spine. 34(21), 2324-2337
  • PALISSERY, V., MULHOLLAND, R.C. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2009. Medical Engineering & Physics. 31(7), 833-837
  • ADAMS, M.A., DOLAN, P. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2009. Matrix Biology. 28(7), 384-389
  • MEIR, A., MCNALLY, D.S., FAIRBANK, J.C., JONES, D. and URBAN, J.P., 2008. The internal pressure and stress environment of the scoliotic intervertebral disc - a review PROCEEDINGS- INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART H JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE. VOL 222(NUMB 2), 209-220
  • PEARSON, R, PHILIPS, N, HANCOCK, R, HASHIM, S, FIELD, M, RICHENS, D and MCNALLY, D, 2008. European Journal Of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 34(3), 616-622
  • LANGLEY, A., MCNALLY, D. and HASLEGRAVE, C. M., 2007. The use of high resolution ultrasonography to explore median nerve biomechanics during functional hand activity In: PREMUS 2007 Sixth International Scientific Conference on Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Boston, 27-30 August 2007. 57
  • LANGLEY, A, MCNALLY, D and HASLEGRAVE, C.M., 2007. Exploring median nerve biomechanics within the wrist using ultrasonography. In: BUST, P.D., ed., Contemporary Ergonomics 2007 Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL. 487-492
  • MEIR, ADAM R, FAIRBANK, JEREMY CT, JONES, DEBORAH A, MCNALLY, DONAL S and URBAN, JILL PG, 2007. Scoliosis. 2, 4
  • DUNMORE, M.C., BROOKS, R., MADELEY, N.J. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2006. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 220(8), 857-869
  • AYLOTT, CASPAR E W, HASSAN, KAMRAN, MCNALLY, DONAL and WEBB, JOHN K, 2006. Intraoperative pulmonary embolism of Harrington rod during spinal surgery: the potential dangers of rod cutting. European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society. 15(12), 1853-7
  • DUNMORE, M C, BROOKS, R, MADELEY, N J and MCNALLY, D S, 2006. The effect of leg fracture level and vehicle front-end geometry on pedestrian knee injury and response. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 220(8), 857-69
  • WOLFSON, D.R., MCNALLY, D.S., CLIFFORD, M.J. and VLOEBERGHS, M., 2005. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 219(1), 63-70
  • REVELL, J., MIRMEHDI, M. and MCNALLY, D., 2005. IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging. 24(6), 755-766
  • LEUNG, Y L, ROSHIER, A L, JOHNSON, S, KERSLAKE, R and MCNALLY, D S, 2005. Clinical Anatomy. 18(2), 96-103
  • RICHES, P E and MCNALLY, D S, 2005. A one-dimensional theoretical prediction of the effect of reduced end-plate permeability on the mechanics of the intervertebral disc. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 219(5), 329-35
  • RICHES, P. E. and MCNALLY, D. S., 2005. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. VOL 219(NUMB 5), 329-336
  • WOLFSON, D R, MCNALLY, D S, CLIFFORD, M J and VLOEBERGHS, M, 2005. Rigid-body modelling of shaken baby syndrome. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 219(1), 63-70
  • ROSHIER, A.L., CLARKE, A., FREEMAN, B.J. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2004. Ultrasound identities organic lesions following whiplash injury. In: Spine Week..
  • REVELL, J D, MIRMEHDI, M and MCNALLY, D S, 2004. Journal of Biomechanics. 37(4), 511-22
  • ROSHIER, A.L., LEUNG, Y.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. Appearance of facet joints and cervical intervertebral discs imaged using ultrasound. In: Anatomische Gesellschaft - 98. Versammlung.
  • LEUNG, Y.L., ROSHIER, A.L., JOHNSON, S., KERSLAKE, R. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. Muscloligamentous anatomy of the cervical spine as visualised by ultrasound. In: World Spine II.
  • ROSHIER, A.L., LEUNG, Y.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. Can ultrasound be used to image the bony components of the cervical spine? In: Ultrasonics International 2003.
  • LEUNG, Y.L., ROSHIER, A.L., JOHNSON, S., KERSLAKE, R. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. Ultrasound imaging of the musculoskeletal elements of the cervical spine - Mission Impossible? In: Ultrasonics International.
  • LEUNG, Y.L., ROSHIER, A.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. A review of the posterior cervical spine musculature using ultrasound inaging. In: Anatomische Gesellschaft - 98. Versammlung.
  • ROSHIER, A.L., LEUNG, Y.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2003. Can ultrasound be used to image cervical facet joints and discs? In: World Spine II.
  • NAISH, C., MITCHELL, R., INNES, J., HALLIWELL, M. and MCNALLY, D., 2003. Spine. VOL 28(PART 2), 107-113
  • POLLINTINE, P., GARBUTT, S. J., TOBIAS, J. H., MCNALLY, D. S., WAKELY, G. K., DOLAN, P. and ADAMS, M. A., 2003. Neural arch load-bearing can weaken the anterior vertebral body and pre-dispose to osteoporotic fracture ACTA OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOMECHANICS. VOL 4(SUPP/1), 65-66
  • NAISH, CLAUDIA, MITCHELL, RICHARD, INNES, JOHN, HALLIWELL, MIKE and MCNALLY, DONAL, 2003. Ultrasound imaging of the intervertebral disc. Spine. 28(2), 107-13
  • JOHNSON, S., MCNALLY, D. and HALLIWELL, M., 2002. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 28(7), 939-947
  • RICHES, P.E., DHILLON, N., LOTZ, J., WOODS, A.W. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2002. Journal of Biomechanics. 35(9), 1263-1271
  • MCNALLY, D.S., 2002. European Spine Journal. 11(Supplement 2), S179-S185
  • LEUNG, Y.L., ROSHIER, A.L., JOHNSON, S., KERSLAKE, R. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2002. Can ultrasound be used to image the musculature of the cervical spine? In: The British Association of Clinical Anatomists. 461-465
  • ROSHIER, A.L., LEUNG, Y.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2002. Cervical facet joints and discs visualised with the aid of ultrasound. In: The Society for Back Pain Research, Annual General Meeting..
  • LEUNG, Y.L., ROSHIER, A.L., JOHNSON, S. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2002. Visualisation of the cervical spine musculature using ultrasound. In: The Society for Back Pain Research, Annual General Meeting..
  • JOHNSON, S, MCNALLY, D and HALLIWELL, M, 2002. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. 28(7), 939-47
  • MCNALLY, DONAL S, 2002. The objectives for the mechanical evaluation of spinal instrumentation have changed. European Spine Journal. 11 Suppl 2, S179-85
  • POLLINTINE,P., TOBIAS,J.H., MCNALLY,D.S., WAKLEY,G.K., DOLAN,P. and ADAMS,M.A., 2002. Intervertebral disc degeneration increases load-bearing by the neural arch and reduces BMD in the anterior vertebral body.arch and reduces BMD in the anterior vertebral body. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 17(September), S178-S178
  • ROBSON BROWN, KATHARINE A, DAVIES, EMMA N and MCNALLY, DONAL S, 2002. The angular distribution of vertebral trabeculae in modern humans, chimpanzees and the Kebara 2 Neanderthal. Journal of Human Evolution. 43(2), 189-205
  • RICHES, P E, DHILLON, N, LOTZ, J, WOODS, A W and MCNALLY, D S, 2002. Journal of Biomechanics. 35(9), 1263-71
  • MITCHELL, R. A. S., INNES, J. F. and MCNALLY, D., 2001. American Journal of Veterinary Research. VOL 62(PART 11), 1734-1739
  • MITCHELL, R A, INNES, J F and MCNALLY, D, 2001. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 62(11), 1734-9
  • RICHES, P E, EVERITT, N M and MCNALLY, D S, 2000. Journal of Biomechanics. 33(12), 1551-7
  • MCNALLY, D S, NAISH, C and HALLIWELL, M, 2000. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. 26(5), 751-8
  • MCNALLY, D S and HALLIWELL, M, 1999. Lancet. 354(9189), 1558-9
  • BURSTON, B, MCNALLY, D S and NICHOLSON, H D, 1998. Journal of Anatomy. 193 ( Pt 3), 449-56
  • RICHES, P E, EVERITT, N M, HEGGIE, A R and MCNALLY, D S, 1997. Journal of Biomechanics. 30(10), 1059-61
  • EDWARDS, A G, MCNALLY, D S, MULHOLLAND, R C and GOODSHIP, A E, 1997. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British). 79(1), 154-60
  • MCMILLAN, D W, MCNALLY, D S, GARBUTT, G and ADAMS, M A, 1996. Stress distributions inside intervertebral discs: the validity of experimental "stress profilometry'. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 210(2), 81-7
  • ADAMS, M A, MCNALLY, D S and DOLAN, P, 1996. 'Stress' distributions inside intervertebral discs. The effects of age and degeneration. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British). 78(6), 965-72
  • ISHIHARA, H, MCNALLY, D S, URBAN, J P and HALL, A C, 1996. Effects of hydrostatic pressure on matrix synthesis in different regions of the intervertebral disk. Journal of Applied Physiology. 80(3), 839-46
  • MCNALLY, D S, SHACKLEFORD, I M, GOODSHIP, A E and MULHOLLAND, R C, 1996. Spine. 21(22), 2580-7
  • MCNALLY, D S and ARRIDGE, R G, 1995. Journal of Biomechanics. 28(1), 53-68
  • GOODSHIP, A E, WALKER, P C, MCNALLY, D, CHAMBERS, T and GREEN, J R, 1994. Use of a bisphosphonate (pamidronate) to modulate fracture repair in ovine bone. Annals of Oncology. 5 Suppl 7, S53-5
  • MCNALLY, D S, ADAMS, M A and GOODSHIP, A E, 1993. Can intervertebral disc prolapse be predicted by disc mechanics? Spine. 18(11), 1525-30
  • WHYTE, T D, MCNALLY, D S and JAMES, E D, 1993. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing. 31(2), 184-6
  • MCNALLY, D S, ADAMS, M A and GOODSHIP, A E, 1992. Journal of Biomedical Engineering. 14(6), 495-8
  • MCNALLY, D S and ADAMS, M A, 1992. Spine. 17(1), 66-73
  • WHYTE, T D, MCNALLY, D S and JAMES, E D, 1989. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing. 27(4), 442-4
  • WHYTE, TD, MCNALLY, DS and JAMES, ED, 1987. Spectral-Analysis Of Pressure Transients In The Urinary-Bladder Due To Coughing Medical Science Research-Biochemistry. 15(13-14), 819-820
  • ADAMS, MA, MCNALLY, DS, CHINN, H and DOLAN, P, CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS. 9(1), 5-14

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