On the mechanical properties of human intervertebral disc material¹

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Panagiotacopulos, N.D. | Knauss, W.G. | Bloch, R.

Affiliations: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

Note: [1] Third International Congress of Biorheology

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor Y.C.B. Fung

Abstract: The viscoelastic response of human intervertebral disc material is studied. It is shown that the water concentration in the material has a dominant effect on the relaxation behavior. The studies are performed on small specimens cut from laminae which are excised from the anterior portion of an L4-L5 disc. Some consequences of this water sensitivity for laboratory testing and in-vivo response are discussed.

Keywords: collagen, intervertebral disc, biosolids

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1979-164-506

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 16, no. 4-5, pp. 317-330, 1979