Effect of the metastatic defect on the structural response and failure process of human vertebrae: an experimental study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pathologic vertebral fractures are associated with intractable pain, loss of function and high morbidity in patients with metastatic spine disease. However, the failure mechanisms of vertebrae with lytic defects and the failed vertebrae's ability to retain load carrying capacity remain unclear.

Methods

Eighteen human thoracic and lumbar vertebrae with simulated uncontained bone defects were tested under compression-bending loads to failure. Failure was defined as 50% reduction in vertebral body height. The vertebrae were allowed to recover under load and re-tested to failure using the initial criteria. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to test for changes in strength and stiffness parameters.

Findings

Vertebral failure occurred via buckling and fracture of th

SUBMITTER: Alkalay RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9190195 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature