Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Can Predispose to Anterior Vertebral Fractures in the Thoracolumbar Spine

Mechanical experiments on cadaveric thoracolumbar spine specimens showed that intervertebral disc degeneration was associated with reduced loading of the anterior vertebral body in upright postures. Reduced load bearing corresponded to locally reduced BMD and inferior trabecular architecture as measured by histomorphometry. Flexed postures concentrated loading on the weakened anterior vertebral body, leading to compressive failure at reduced load.

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