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Computational and Experimental Biomechanics Lab (CEBL), at Rice University, focuses at a wide range of loading conditions applied to lumbar spine based on day-to-day activities. The spine experiences, from cyclic loading such as that experienced during walking to one-time monotonic loads, resulting from actions such as lifting objects. Especially in the elderly, lumbar and thoracic vertebral fractures may develop even when no single activity results in internal forces higher than the vertebral ultimate load.
Though much effort is directed to the repair of these fractures, the biomechanical cause is not fully understood. Insight into the mechanism behind vertebral fracture development would make diagnosis, treatment, and prevention achievable and more effective. Specifically, using tools such as a 6DOF robotic arm (KUKA) and a 6DOF force/torque transducer (ATI), we are able to apply different loading regimes and to examine the change in stiffness and strength of vertebral bodies.
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