Loading history and age are factors for disc degeneration and disc biomechanics; however, their relationship is unclear. To evaluate disc biomechanics, we conducted an experimental, anatomical and numerical approach to distinguish discs with mild and severe degeneration. In the experimental procedure, 10 cadaveric lumbar discs are tested to static and dynamic compression, and the elastic and viscous moduli and the dynamic parameters are reported. The morphology of disc degeneration is gained with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and used to generate a nonlinear finite element model of a degenerated disc, and assisted with the experimental results in order to numerically investigate the distribution of stresses and strains within the disc. The results show a promising methodology for the study of intervertebral disc biomechanics and in general other tissues, organs and medical devices.

Abstract:Intervertebral disc flexibility is influenced by lifestyle, loading history, trauma, preexisting conditions, age and degeneration. With regard to degeneration, intervertebral discs become less flexible and stiffer. In this study, a testing protocol using bending and torsion loading was developed to gain the flexibility curves and stiffness of ten cadaveric lumbar discs. Measurements of rotation in the sagittal plane (flexion-extension), coronal plane (right-left lateral bending) and transverse plane (torsion) due to a 5 N-m load are reported. Results show that overall normal discs are more flexible and behave in a nonlinear fashion. The testing results were used in a develop finite element model of an intervertebral disc to investigate the stresses and strains in the disc components: annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus with regard to degeneration. Simulation of bending and torsion loadings show large strains in the annulus and nucleus from a normal disc, in contrast higher stresses develop in the annulus from a degenerated disc. The proposed methodology is novel, versatile, functional and economic with implications in bioengineering, medical sciences and the clinical field.