Regional Variations in Shear Strength and Density of the Human Thoracic Vertebral Endplate and Trabecular Bone

Abstract

Shear strength was the lowest at the anterior region and highest at the lateral region for both endplate and cancellous bone. Material density had the best correlation with mechanical strength. Newer spinal implants could optimize the loading in the lateral aspects of both endplate and cancellous bone to reduce the likelihood of screw loosening and the subsidence of disc replacement devices. This study was reviewed by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center IRB Committee; IRB#: 533603-2.