Spinal biomechanics – biomechanical considerations of spinal stability in the context of spinal injury

The concepts of spinal stability are central to the decision-making processes following spinal trauma. In order to completely understand spinal stability knowledge of the local anatomy and basic biomechanics of the spine is required. This article aims to revise these concepts and discuss their impact on stability of the spine. Mechanisms of injury in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine are discussed alongside the biomechanics of structural failure at each level. The basic concepts of clinical spinal stability are explored with comment on the biomechanical considerations for specific fracture patterns.