The effect of posture on the fluid content of lumbar intervertebral discs

Cadaveric lumbar motion segments were creep loaded for 4 hours, and the fluid content of the intervertebral discs was measured and compared with that of unloaded discs. Half of the specimens were wedged to simulate sitting with the lumbar spine flexed, and the other half were wedged to simulate sitting or standing erect. The results showed that "flexed" discs lost more fluid, especially from the nucleus pulposus, than did the "erect" discs. It is concluded that fluid flow in flexed postures can aid the nutrition of the lumbar discs.