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The influence of geometry on intervertebral disc stiffness.
- Source :
-
Journal of biomechanics [J Biomech] 2024 Jan; Vol. 163, pp. 111915. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 05. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Geometry plays an important role in intervertebral disc (IVD) mechanics. Previous computational studies have found a link between IVD geometry and stiffness. However, few experimental studies have investigated this link, possibly due to difficulties in non-destructively quantifying internal geometric features. Recent advances in ultra-high resolution MRI provides the opportunity to visualise IVD features in unprecedented detail. This study aimed to quantify 3D human IVD geometries using 9.4 T MRIs and to investigate correlations between geometric variations and IVD stiffness. Thirty human lumbar motion segments (fourteen non-degenerate and sixteen degenerate) were scanned using a 9.4 T MRI and geometric parameters were measured. A 1kN compressive load was applied to each motion segment and stiffness was calculated. Degeneration caused a reduction (p < 0.05) in IVD height, a decreased nucleus-annulus area ratio, and a 1.6 ± 3.0 mm inward collapse of the inner annulus. The IVD height, anteroposterior (AP) width, lateral width, cross-sectional area, nucleus-annulus boundary curvature, and nucleus-annulus area ratio had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on IVD stiffness. Linear relationships (p < 0.05, r > 0.47) were observed between these geometric features and IVD compressive stiffness and a multivariate regression model was generated to enable stiffness to be predicted from features observable on clinical imaging (stiffness, N/mm = 6062 - (61.2 × AP width, mm) - (169.2 × IVD height, mm)). This study advances our understanding of disc structure-function relationships and how these change with degeneration, which can be used to both generate and validate more realistic computational models.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-2380
- Volume :
- 163
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of biomechanics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38233311
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111915