Biomecânica da coluna

Eur Spine J (2003) 12 (Suppl. 2) : S97–S103
DOI 10.1007/s00586-003-0621-0

Stephen J. Ferguson
Thomas Steffen

Accepted: 13 August 2003
Published online: 9 September 2003
© Springer-Verlag 2003

S. J. Ferguson (✉)
M.E. Müller Research Center for Orthopaedic Surgery,
Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Berne,
Murtenstrasse 35, Postbox 8354,
3001 Berne, Switzerland
Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]
T. Steffen
Orthopaedic Research Laboratory,
McGill University, Montreal, Canada

REVIEW

Biomechanics of the aging spine

Abstract The human spine is composed of highly specific tissues and structures, which together provide the extensive range of motion and considerable load carrying capacity required for the physical activities of daily life. Alterations to the form and composition of the individual structures of the spine with increasing age can increase the risk of injury and can have a profound influence on the quality of life. Cancellous bone forms the structural framework of the vertebral body. Individual trabeculae are oriented along the paths of principal forces and play a crucial role in the transfer of the predominantly compressive forces along the spine. Agerelated changes to the cancellous core of the vertebra includes a loss of bone mineral density, as well as morphological changes including trabecular thinning, increased intratrabecular spacing, and loss of connectivity between trabeculae. Material and morphological changes may lead to an increased risk of vertebral fracture. The vertebral endplate serves the dual role of containing the adjacent disc and evenly distributing ap-

Introduction
The vertebral column is built from alternating bony vertebrae, interconnected with fibrocartilagenous discs and diarthrodial facet joints. In total 33 vertebrae (7 cervical,
12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal) all con-