Spine Biomechanics: In Vivo In Vitro In Silico

Lower back pain (LBP) is a global health issue, costing the NHS alone upwards of £12bn annually. The key to developing treatments and prevention measures for LBP starts with understanding how the spine and its component parts, specifically the intervertebral disc (IVD), respond to loads and motion typical of everyday activities. With better understanding of these responses, more thorough investigation will be possible into the consequences of structural changes to the IVD and surrounding structures, including being able to pinpoint causes of pain and loss of range of motion.

Spine biomechanics is an inherently multidisciplinary field. The development of this collaborative community draws on the strengths of each institution’s research group including computational modelling, imaging and experimental biomechanics, and a network of clinical expertise, to address this complex field, enriching the quality of spine research in the wider GW4 community. By combining knowledge, data, facilities and networks, a pan-institutional community has emerged with the potential to further advance our understanding of spine biomechanics, maximising the impact of future research.

Through GW4 Development Award funding, the research community have brought together complementary expertise and facilities.  Using Bath’s material models, Exeter’s in vitro test facilities and Cardiff’s in vivo test and imaging facilities, a set of pilot data has been produced that can be used for investigating spinal forces in patient populations. Further, a collaborative research group now exists with a unique set of resources and expertise. This will position the group strategically, with a strong foundation for future research funding.