Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Biomedical

10 Biomechanical Analysis of Lumbar Vertebrae: Insights for Surgical Management of Vertebral Fractures

Joseph DiPetto, OMS-II; William Dedmond, OMS-II; Alexander Baur, OMS-IV; Keith Lustig, MD Corresponding author: wdedmond@liberty.edu

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

vertebrae (L1-L4) were harvested from four cadavers, cleaned, and prepared for testing. The specimens were subjected to compressive loading using an Instron machine, generating stress-strain curves and calculating Young’s modulus. Each sample was compressed until reaching approximately 4 MPa to determine stress to failure. Results: Young’s modulus values varied significantly among specimens, ranging from 1.81 MPa to 8.54 MPa, with no consistent trend indicating higher stress to failure in lower lumbar vertebrae. Contrary to expectations, the results did not demonstrate that lower lumbar levels, which bear

greater mechanical loads, have higher compressive strength. The mechanical properties were highly variable and did not correlate with vertebral level (p-value .64). Conclusions: This study challenges the assumption that lower lumbar vertebrae are structurally stronger due to their load-bearing role. The findings suggest that while lumbar vertebrae have similar initial mechanical properties, cumulative mechanical stress may contribute to uneven degenerative changes, increasing fracture susceptibility over time. These insights are critical for managing degenerative spinal conditions and

Background: Lumbar vertebral fractures, particularly burst and compression types, are complex injuries often resulting from high-energy impacts. These fractures can lead to spinal instability, severe pain, and neurological deficits. The lumbar spine, which bears significant mechanical load, is especially vulnerable to such injuries. Despite surgical interventions being commonly required for unstable fractures, the biomechanical behavior of lumbar vertebrae across different levels and its influence on surgical outcomes remains underexplored. Methods: This study analyzed the biomechanical forces acting on lumbar vertebrae and assessed their compressive stress to failure. Fourteen lumbar

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2025 Research Recognition Day