In Vivo Measurement of Spinal Column Viscoelasticity—An Animal Model

The goal of this study was to measure the in vivo viscoelastic response of spinal motion segments loaded in compression using a porcine model. Nine pigs were used in the study. The animals were anaesthetized and, using surgical techniques, four intrapedicular screws were inserted into the vertebrae of the L₂-L₃ motion segment. A miniaturized servohydraulic exciter capable of compressing the motion segment was mounted on to the screws. In six animals, a loading scheme consisting of 50 N and 100 N of compression, each applied for 10 min, was used. Each loading period was followed by 10 min restitution with zero load. The loading scheme was repeated four times. Three animals were examined for stiffening effects by consecutively repeating eight times 50 N loading for 5 min followed by 5 min restitution with zero load. This loading scheme was repeated using a 100 N load level. The creep-recovery behaviour of the motion segment was recorded continuously. Using non-linear regression techniques, the experimental data were used for evaluating the parameters of a three-parameter standard linear solid model. Correlation coefficients of the order of 0.85 or higher were obtained for the three independent parameters of the model. A survey of the data shows that the viscous deformation rate was a function of the load level. Also, repeated loading at 100 N seemed to induce long-lasting changes in the viscoelastic properties of the porcine lumbar motion segment.