The research focussed on analysing structural and mechanical properties in the intervertebral disc (IVD), caused by long-term cyclic loading. Spinal motion segments were divided into two groups: the control (C), and the group in which it was analysed the impact of posterior column in the load-bearing system of the spine—specimens with intact posterior column (IPC) and without posterior column (WPC). To evaluate the structural and mechanical changes, the specimens were tested with simulation of 100,000 compression-flexion load cycles after which it was performed macroscopic analysis. Mechanical properties of the annulus fibrosis (AF) from the anterior and posterior regions of the IVD were tested at the uniaxial tension test. The stiffness coefficient values were statistically 32% higher in the WPC group (110 N/mm) than in the IPC (79 N/mm). The dynamics of increase in this parameter does not correspond with the course of decrease in height loss. WPC segments revealed clear structural changes that mainly involve the posterior regions of the IVD (bulging and delamination with the effect of separation of collagen fibre bundles). Pathological changes also caused decreases in the value of stress in the AF. The greatest changes in the stress value about group C (7.43 ± 4.49 MPa) were observed in the front part of the fibrous ring, where this value was for IPC 4.49 ± 4.78 MPa and WPC 2.56 ± 1.01 MPa. The research indicates that the applied load model allows simulating damage that occurs in pathological IVD. And the posterior column’s presence affects this change’s dynamics, structural and mechanical properties of AF.

该研究的重点是分析由长期循环载荷引起的椎间盘 (IVD) 的结构和机械特性。脊柱运动节段分为两组：对照组（C）和分析后柱对脊柱承重系统影响​​的组——具有完整后柱（IPC）和没有后柱的标本（木塑）。为了评估结构和机械变化，对试样进行了模拟 100,000 次压缩-弯曲载荷循环的测试，然后进行了宏观分析。在单轴拉伸试验中测试了体外诊断设备前部和后部区域纤维化环 (AF) 的机械性能。WPC 组 (110 N/mm) 的刚度系数值在统计上比 IPC (79 N/mm) 高 32%。该参数增加的动态与高度损失减少的过程不对应。WPC 节段显示出明显的结构变化，主要涉及 IVD 的后部区域（膨胀和分层，胶原纤维束分离的影响）。病理变化也导致 AF 中的压力值降低。C组应力值的最大变化（7.43±4.49 MPa）出现在纤维环的前部，IPC 4.49±4.78 MPa和WPC 2.56±1.01 MPa。研究表明，应用载荷模型可以模拟病理性体外诊断中发生的损伤。并且后柱的存在会影响这种变化的动态、结构和 AF 的机械性能。