Unconstrained testing of spine with bi-axial universal testing machine

Background: In-vitro biomechanical assessment of the spine reveals significant information on the mechanics of spinal disorders, treatment methods, and surgical implants. Specialized devices for the evaluation of spine biomechanics have thus become popular. However, these devices might not be affordable for all research groups.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe an apparatus to be attached to a standard bi-axial universal testing machine that would make unconstrained testing of the spine possible.

Study design/setting: A technical note on the definition of a spinal testing fixture with validation.

Methods: Intact lumbosacral spines (T12-S1) were tested in sagittal and lateral bending and axial rotation. Three-dimensional interlevel rotations at each level (L1-4) were analyzed.

Results: By comparison with the literature, we found that the new fixture was able to successfully produce reasonable relative rotation values for the lumbar spine.

Conclusions: We demonstrated that the low cost fixture allowed unconstrained (six degree of freedom, 6 DOF) testing of fresh-frozen cadaveric lumbar spine.