title: Pitfalls of biomechanical testing.
abstract: A review of the pitfalls of biomechanical testing and its experimental designs are presented in order to provide a format for the young spinal experimentor, and an outline of procedural error and logical thinking for nonclinical spinal experimentation, be it in vitro, in vivo, or with mathematical modeling. Subsequent sections deal with the specifics of in vitro and in vivo testing and mathematical modeling.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kostuik
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology*