Intervertevral body stabilization – the biomechanical significance of endplate

This paper concerns the role of endplate in intervertebral body stabilizations of the spine. The problem of subsidence and the results of biomechanical strength of endplate in the lumbar vertebra were presented. It was found, that the lower endplate has a greater load carrying capacity than the upper endplate. Particularly high tensile strength occurs where the vertebral body passes into vertebral arches. It has been concluded that the implantation procedure should seek to preserve the endplate in at least the most intact state and use the best load-bearing places of embedding the implant.