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Assessing Compressive Strengths and Load to Failure Limits among Vertebral Bodies: An Anatomical Study
Author(s) -
Fisher Yuliya,
Golubovskaya Yevegeniya,
Hayes Westley,
Saha Subrata,
Marquez Samuel
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.867.9
Subject(s) - cadaveric spasm , lumbar , compression (physics) , medicine , lumbar vertebrae , thoracic vertebrae , thoracic spine , compression test , orthodontics , surgery , materials science , composite material
The strength and compression resistance of vertebral bodies have important clinical implications with regard to susceptibility to impact trauma. This study compares compression resistance limits between the thoracic and lumbar centrums from cadaveric material to evaluate structural strength and fracture risk. The samples were radiographed to ensure healthy specimens with no evident pathologies and to document density properties (e.g., osteoporotic characteristics). Vertebral bodies were mechanically tested in compression, using the Instron 8874 (Norwood, MA) Servohydraulic Test System. Results show thoracic and lumbar strengths ranging from 0.91 N/mm 2 to 1.57 N/mm 2 and 0.67 N/mm 2 to 1.05 N/mm 2 , respectively. Average maximum load to failure for the thoracic samples was 1011 N and 1620 N for lumbar samples. This study showed that while lower vertebral bodies exhibited higher load to failure values, thoracic centrums demonstrated greater maximum stress during compressive testing. Our preliminary results may shed light on the clinical understanding of compression fractures, common in the elderly, for improved outcomes. Grant Funding Source : SUNY Downstate College of Medicine