A 'follower load' increases the load carrying capacity of the lumbar spine in axial compression

摘要

Studies have shown that the lumbar spine sustains very large compressive loads in vivo (2). However, ex vivo experiments on a ligamentous lumbar spine with inherent lordotic curvature demonstrate that the lumbar spine collapses at load levels far below those seen in vivo (1). These experiments simulate in vivo conditions with a compressive load applied vertically. Thus, the assumption that the axial compressive load on the spine acts purely in the vertical direction may be incorrect.