Fill of the Nucleus Cavity Affects Mechanical Stability in Compression, Bending and Torsion of a Spine Segment Which Has Undergone Nucleus Replacement

Axial loading, rotation and bending were applied to human cadaveric lumbar segments to investigate changes in disc mechanics with denucleation and incremental delivery of a novel hydrogel nucleus replacement implant. Changes in disc height, range of motion, neutral zone, hysteresis and stiffness were examined.