The Effect of Degeneration on Internal Strains and the Mechanism of Failure in Human Invertebral Discs

Description

This presentation by Saman Tavana focuses on a non-invasive technique for assessing the mechanical effects of degeneration on human intervertebral discs (IVDs) and correlates it with the incidence of low back pain, a leading cause of disability. Tavana explains that as IVDs degenerate, they undergo biochemical changes that alter their mechanical behavior, resulting in increased strain which can lead to spinal fractures. The study involved scanning ten human lumbar discs—five degenerate and five non-degenerate—using a 9.4 Tesla MRI scanner under various loading conditions. Results indicated that degenerative discs exhibited significantly higher strains, particularly in regions near the end plates, which correlated with failure locations. The findings underscore the importance of understanding IVD degeneration in clinical contexts, particularly for optimizing vertebroplasty procedures to mitigate fracture risks. Tavana concludes by discussing potential future applications of their technique for individual assessments and finite element model validation.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221067

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