title: A mathematical model of the compression of a spinal disc.
abstract: A model is developed of the stress-strain response of an intervertebral disc to axial compression. This is based on a balance of increased intradiscal pressure, resulting from the compression of the disc, and the restraining forces generated by the collagen fibres within the annulus fibrosus. A formula is derived for predicting the loading force on a disc once the nucleus pressure is known. Measured material values of L3 and L4 discs are used to make quantitative predictions. The results compare reasonably well with experimental results.
authors.affiliation: Calgary Board of Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. mangwa@cbe.ab.ca
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ngwa
authors.forename: Ephraim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agyingi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical