Biomechanical Assessment of Fracture Loads and Patterns of the Odontoid Process

This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical competence and fracture characteristics of the odontoid process. Summary of Background Data. Odontoid fractures of the second cervical vertebra (C2) represent the most common spine fracture type in the elderly. However, very little is known about the underlying biomechanical fracture mechanisms. Materials and Methods. A total of 42 C2 human anatomic specimens were scanned via computed tomography, divided in six groups, and subjected to combined quasistatic loading at −15°, 0°, and 15° in sagittal plane and −50° and 0° in transverse plane until fracturing. Bone mineral density (BMD), height, fusion state of the ossification centers, stiffness, yield load, and ultimate load were assessed. Results. While lowest values for stiffness, yield load, and ultimate load were observed at load inclination of 15° in sagittal plane, no statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups (P≥0.235). BMD correlated positively with yield load (r2=0.350, P
Source: Spine - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Biomechanics Source Type: research