IVD fibrosis and disc collapse comprehensively aggravate vertebral body disuse osteoporosis and zygapophyseal joint osteoarthritis by posteriorly shifting the load transmission pattern

Zhipeng Xi, Yimin Xie, Shenglu Sun, Nan Wang, Shuang Chen, Guoyou Wang, Jingchi Li

Abstract: Highlights•Disuse osteoporosis is also a typical phenotype of osteoporosis. Bone resorption due to reduced load is the main cause of disuse osteoporosis.•Disc collapse and intervertebral disc (IVD) fibrosis are two main pathological changes in IVD degeneration (IDD) progression, given that these changes affect load transmission patterns, which may lead to disuse osteoporosis.•A significant correlation can be observed between lower HU values and two parameters related to IDD progression. These factors were also proven to be independent risk factors for osteoporosis.•Compared to the intact model without IDD. Lower stress values on vertebral bodies and higher stress values on ZJOA can be simultaneously recorded in models with disc collapse and IVD fibrosis simulations.•IVD fibrosis and disc collapse simultaneously aggravate vertebral body disuse osteoporosis and ZJOA by posteriorly shifting the load transmission pattern.