Bones and joints are always under mechanical loading a key concept in understanding bone metabolism. Among the most common diseases of bones and joints in the elderly are osteoporosis and joint osteoarthritis. Dynamic changes in mechanical loading give rise to problems resulting in stenosis of the spinal column at the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels. Mechanical loading also accelerates joint destruction caused by inflammation from such conditions as chronic rheumatoid arthritis. An understanding of mechanical loading is essential therefore to clinicians, basic researchers, and engineers working with bones and joints. Providing up-to-date research and clinical findings, the contents of this volume are from the papers, symposia, and special lectures presented at the 12th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association in Niigata, in October 1997.

This volume contains the papers presented at the International Symposium on Spine and Spinal Disorders in Growth and Aging held in Niigata on November 22-23, 1992. The symposium commemorates the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine. . The purpose of the symposium was to investigate the field of spine and spinal disorders in growth and aging. Topics ranged from osteoporosis, other of the spinal column to degenerative metabolic bone diseases, and deformity spinal disorders and heterotopic ossification with resultant myelopathy. Spinal manifestations of systemic and local diseases were also included. Symptoms of spinal disorders in both the lower and upper extremity were presented and biomechanics and bone mineral measurement of the spine were also discussed. The organizing committee would like to thank the following for their sponsorship and support of this international symposium: Japan Osteoporosis Foundation, Japan-North America Medical Exchange Foundation, Japan Russia Medical Exchange Foundation, Niigata Prefectural Government, and Niigata City Government. We deeply appreciate their support and contributions to the success of the symposium. The chairman of the organizing committee is most grateful for the contributions and support of the International Advisory Committee, Dr. B.D. Burr (USA), Dr. H.M. Frost (USA), and Dr. R.R. Recker (USA); the Local Advisory Committee, Dr. S. Kono (Prof. Emeritus of Niigata University) and Dr. T. Tajima (Prof. Emeritus ofNiigata University); and the members of the organizing committee, Dr. Y. Watanabe (Yamagata University), Dr. K.

Bones and joints are always under mechanical loading a key concept in understanding bone metabolism. Among the most common diseases of bones and joints in the elderly are osteoporosis and joint osteoarthritis. Dynamic changes in mechanical loading give rise to problems resulting in stenosis of the spinal column at the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels. Mechanical loading also accelerates joint destruction caused by inflammation from such conditions as chronic rheumatoid arthritis. An understanding of mechanical loading is essential therefore to clinicians, basic researchers, and engineers working with bones and joints. Providing up-to-date research and clinical findings, the contents of this volume are from the papers, symposia, and special lectures presented at the 12th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association in Niigata, in October 1997.