Biomechanical Study of the Osteoporotic Spine Fracture: Optical Approach

Background and objectives: Osteoporotic spine fractures represent a significant factor for decreasing quality of life in the elderly female population. Understanding the mechanisms involved in producing these fractures can improve their prevention and treatment. This study presents a biomechanical method to produce a vertebral fracture, conducted on a human spine segment, observing the displacements and strains in the intervertebral disc, endplate, and vertebral body. Materials and Methods: We performed two tests, one corresponding to an extension loading, and the second to an axial loading. Results: The maximum displacement in the target vertebral body presented higher values in the case o…