Biomechanics of the aging spine.
Experimental studies indicate age and degeneration affect spinal biomechanics. In vitro biomechanical experimentation is used to validate finite element cervical spine models. A high percentage of experimental studies have utilized older specimens. Computer models based on these experimental studies may not accurately represent the normal population. Younger full-column and C5-C6 motion segments were tested under pure sagittal plane moments. A review of literature was conducted, and results from previous studies were compared to present data to determine whether age was an influencing factor in spinal biomechanics. Findings indicate younger specimens under equivalent pure moment loading magnitudes underwent greater ranges of motion between 0.5 and 2.5 Nm. Based on these preliminary findings, validation of finite element modeling to ensure biofidelity should consider age as a factor that may affect biomechanics.
Board
Derek
D
Dept. of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Stemper
Brian D
BD
Yoganandan
Narayan
N
Pintar
Frank A
FA
Shender
Barry
B
Paskoff
Glenn
G
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D008954:Models, Biological; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*