Biomechanics of Vertebral Bone

This chapter discusses the biomechanics of human vertebral trabecular bone. It also describes aging, disease, and repetitive loading. This chapter addresses the behavior of the whole vertebra, including discussion of the role of the cortical shell, intervertebral disc, and posterior elements. Detailed knowledge of the biomechanical behavior of vertebral bone is necessary in order to design robust implants. Design of orthopedic implants for the spine is particularly challenging because vertebral trabecular bone is so weak and the cortices are so thin. As a result, failure of the bone-implant system often originates in the bone. The problem is compounded because the bone properties vary so much across individuals and over time and with disease. The development of minimally invasive surgical repair techniques for vertebral fractures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty also invites biomechanical analysis of vertebral trabecular bone and the whole vertebral body in order to refine those procedures. Subsequently, computational models are in use to refine and indeed develop designs of new implants for the spine.