Loads on an internal spinal fixation device during sitting

Sitting is often assumed to involve high loads on the spine as well as on implants for stabilising the spine. Loads on internal spinal fixation devices were therefore measured in ten patients sitting on several types of seats, including a stool, a stool with a padded wedge, a chair, a physiotherapy ball, a knee-stool, and a bench. The patients also successively sat relaxed and erect on a stool. In addition, six of them sat on a special chair allowing different inclinations of the backrest. Implant loads were also measured for standing up and sitting down. There were only minor differences in fixator loads for sitting on the different types of seats. Sitting erect caused an average of 11% higher implant loads than sitting relaxed. Implant loads decreased with increasing inclination of the upper body while sitting on a chair with an adjustable backrest. Implant loads were about 27% higher for standing up and sitting down than for sitting.