Neural Tissue Biomechanics

Abstract

Research into the biomechanics of spinal cord injury has progressed rapidly over the past decade via a number of research approaches. Cadaveric experimentation, animal model development and computational simulations continue to contribute much insight into the relation between spinal column injury (i.e. vertebrae, discs, ligaments) and spinal cord damage. Efforts in this research field are directed towards providing clinicians information on how to design optimal intervention strategies, and establishing preventative strategies that may be targeted to specific injury mechanisms, thus reducing the severity and extent of permanent paralysis and improving the health related quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury. While there has been advancement in our understanding of the complex mechanical response of the cord to a variety of distinctly different injury mechanisms, there is still much to discover regarding the behavior of the spinal cord during the traumatic event and the ensuing pathophysiological degradation of the spinal cord.