Prediction of the compressive strength of human lumbar vertebrae.

The compressive strength of 98 specimens of motion segments of human thoracolumbar spines was measured. In addition, the density of the trabecular bone in the midplane of the vertebrae was assessed by quantitative computed tomography (QCT); the size of the vertebral endplates was measured by CT as well. The results show that the compressive strength of thoracolumbar vertebrae can be predicted from the product of density and end-plate area, with an error of estimate of 1 kN. The data of the experiment allow for an in vivo prediction of the strength of vertebrae to quantify the risk of fracture in physically very demanding tasks, to support expert opinion in trauma cases, or to assist in therapeutic decisions in cases of severe osteoporosis.