Structure‐function relationships of the human vertebral endplate. Issue 3 (13th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yuanqiao; Loaiza, Johnfredy; Banerji, Rohin; Blouin, Olivia; Morgan, Elise
• Is Part Of: JOR spine. Volume 4:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-13
• Subjects: bending -- density -- fracture -- micro‐computed tomography -- vertebral endplate; Spine -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spine -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Spine -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Electronic journal; Periodicals; 616.73005
• DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2572-1143

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Although deformation and fracture of the vertebral endplate have been implicated in spinal conditions such as vertebral fracture and disc degeneration, few biomechanical studies of this structure are available. The goal of this study was to quantify the mechanical behavior of the vertebral endplate. Methods: Eight‐five rectangular specimens were dissected from the superior and/or inferior central endplates of human lumbar spine segments L1 to L4. Micro‐computed tomography (μCT) imaging, four‐point‐bend testing, and ashing were performed to quantify the apparent elastic modulus and yield stress (modulus and yield stress, respectively, of the porous vertebral endplate), tissue yield stress (yield stress of the tissue of the vertebral endplate, excluding pores), ultimate strain, fracture strain, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone mineral density (BMD), and various measures of tissue density and composition (tissue mineral density, ash fraction, and ash density). Regression was used to assess the dependence of mechanical properties on density and composition. Results: Wide variations in elastic and failure properties, and in density and tissue composition, were observed. BMD and BV/TV were good predictors of many of the apparent‐level mechanical properties, including modulus, yield stress, and in the case of the inferior vertebral endplate, failure strains. Similar values of the mechanical properties were noted between superior and inferior vertebral endplates. In contrast to the dependence of apparent stiffness and strength on BMD and BV/TV, none of the mechanical properties depended on any of the tissue‐level density measurements. Conclusion: The dependence of many of the mechanical properties of the vertebral endplate on BV/TV and BMD suggests possibilities for noninvasive assessment of how this region of the spine behaves during habitual and injurious loading. Further study of the nonmineral components of the endplate tissue is required to understand how the composition of this tissue may influence the overall mechanical behavior of the vertebral endplate. Abstract : Because the vertebral endplate is critical in affecting the spinal disease, it is necessary to quantify its mechanical properties and link those properties with its structure. We found large variations in mechanical properties of vertebral endplate from elastic deformation to fracture. Those variations could partly be explained by bone volume fraction and BMD. Explorations of properties of nonmineral components in vertebral endplate should be further analyzed.