An in vitro study of normal and scoliotic interspinous ligaments.

Abstract The mechanical properties of specimens of spinal ligaments from 16 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 10 patients with scoliosis resulting from connective-tissue disease or anomaly were compared. Stress was determined with an Instron Testor and strain with a modified Instron extensometer. Stress-strain values and percentages of stress relaxation were calculated. It was found that the mechanical properties of the two groups of specimens were essentially similar: The elastic moduli were 129 N/mm 2 and 113 N/mm 2 , and the percentages of stress relaxation were 5 and 4, respectively.