Zeitschrift für Wirbelsäulen- und Neurochirurgie

A Preliminary Investigation into the Morphology of Trabecular Bone Damage Associated with Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Balkovec Christian, Carstensen Michael H, Leung Andrew and McGill Stuart M

 A Preliminary Investigation into the Morphology of Trabecular Bone Damage Associated with Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Bone fragments have been identified in the material of many intervertebral disc herniations. The mechanism by which this occurs or exact source of these fragments remains to be determined. Further, the morphology of bone damage in the vertebral body before and after herniation has not been characterized. This study sought to determine the location and pattern of bone damage during intervertebral disc herniation. Porcine functional spinal units were imaged under micro computed tomography scans before and after repeated flexion and extension motions under compressive load. Presence of herniation was confirmed in all specimens.