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Biomechanical properties of human intervertebral discs subjected to axial dynamic compression—Influence of age and degeneration

1986; Elsevier BV; Volume: 19; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0021-9290(86)90131-4

1873-2380

W. Koeller, S. Muehlhaus, William R. Meier, Frank Hartmann,

Medical Imaging and Analysis

This investigation was performed to study biomechanical properties of human intervertebral discs as a function of age. 178 specimens from 21 spinal sections (Th9-S1, 5–84 yr) were subjected to axial dynamic compression; the load being 950 ± 540 N. The results revealed three distinct age ranges: (1) From the first to the middle of the third decade: axial deformability decreases within the thoracic region, and remains almost constant within the lumbar spine; creep decreases in both parts. (2) From the middle of the third to the beginning of the sixth decade: the biomechanical behavior scarcely alters. (3) Afterwards: axial deformability remains unchanged; creep, however, again increases within the lumbar spine. The results reveal the discs behave most efficiently within the age range where the incidence of back pain is maximal.