Compressive mechanical properties of the human anulus fibrosus and their relationship to biochemical composition

Best, Barbara A.; Guilak, Farhid; Setton, Lori A.; Zhu, Wenbo; Saed-Nejad, Fatemeh; Ratcliffe, Anthony; Weidenbaum, Mark; Mow, Van C.

Affiliations

¹Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Columbia University, New York, New York

²Current address: Department of Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720

³Current address: Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794

³Current address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21228

Abstract and keywords

To enhance understanding of the biomechanical role of the intervertebral disc, the compressive properties and biochemical composition of nondegenerate samples of anulus fibrosus were determined as a function of radial position, region, and level, Because of the large swelling propensity of this tissue, a method was developed to test excised specimens while maintaining their in situ geometry and hydration. Using an analysis based on linear biphasic theory, the compressive modulus, hydraulic permeability, and isometric swelling pressure of the anulus fibrosus were determined and correlated with the tissue composition. The findings indicate that the anulus fibrosus is inhomogeneous, with regional and radial variations in both material properties and biochemical composition. The results of this study suggest that both structural and compositional factors may dtermine the mechanical behavior.

Keywords: anulus fibrosus; intervertebral disc; compressive properties; swelling pressure; piphasic; proteoglycan; collagen

Links

DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199401001-00017

PubMed: 8153833

WoS: A1994MU43100017

History

Accepted: 1993-06-07

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