A Novel Experimental Strategy for the Production of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures Coupled with a Biomechanical Analysis by using Non-invasive Optical Methods.

ABSTRACT This work presents a novel methodology to generate in vitro burst fracture of spinal segments in conditions closest to trauma. Validation of this new experimental method of burst fracture production is aligned with an original experimental biomechanical analysis method. To pre-select the vertebral level of the burst fracture generation, a slight vertebral body embrittlement is envisaged. Experimental tests were performed on two groups of ovine spinal segments. An Izod impact machine was used to generate burst fracture. In one group of spinal segments, the central vertebra of each specimen was embrittled by holes of 0.8 mm diameter before impact. Both groups of spinal segments (with embrittlement and without embrittlement) were impacted and fractured. X-ray tomography was used to confirm burst fracture morphological characterization for both groups. Furthermore, to follow the mechanical response of each group, strain values were determined during impact by using non-invasive optical methods, and the compression consequences were recorded using a high-speed digital camera in real time. All fractured specimens were found to have the expected burst fracture configuration. Strain measurements allowed us to study the mechanical behaviour of spinal disks and determine the strain value (at least 5%) required to cause a burst fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]