Experimentally Dissociating the Acute Mechanisms of Endplate Fracture Lesions and Schmorl's Node Injuries Using a Porcine Cervical Spine Model.

Study Design: This is an in vitro biomechanical study.

Objective: This study evaluated the influence of localized trabecular bone strength deficits and loading rate as determinants of Schmorl's node and fracture lesion incidence. The failure load (ultimate compression tolerance [UCT]), loading stiffness, and failure morphology were assessed after acute compression loading and failure.

Experimentally dissociating the overuse mechanisms of endplate fracture lesions and Schmorl's node injuries using the porcine cervical spine model.

Background: Compared to the documented overuse mechanisms of endplate fracture lesions, the cause of Schmorl's node injuries remains unknown, despite existing hypotheses. Therefore, this study aimed to examine and dissociate the overuse injury mechanisms of these spinal pathologies.

Methods: Forty-eight porcine cervical spinal units were included.