Load-relaxation was measured in 12 segments of human cadaveric lumbar spine. Each segment consisted of an intact intervertebral disc attached to half of its adjacent vertebrae with the posterior elements removed. Six specimens were each compressed at six different strains (corresponding to initial loads of 0.5-2.5 kN) and, for each strain, the load-relaxation was measured for a period of 20 min at room temperature. These load-relaxation curves were used to plot three isochrones for each specimen. All isochrones were linear (r values in the range 0.95-0.99). This result indicated that a linear model could be used to represent load-relaxation. Four specimens were tested at a single strain (corresponding to an initial load of about 2 kN) at 37 degrees C for a period of 4-6 h. Load was plotted against the logarithm of time. The resulting plots did not show any peaks, indicating that relaxation effects did not predominate at any particular times during load-relaxation. However, it was possible to model the load-relaxation as a simple linear system which can be represented as two Maxwell elements in parallel. These elements were characterized by relaxation times of 16 +/- 8 min and 4.6 +/- 0.8 h. Fourier transformation of the load-relaxation curves showed a gradual increase in the storage modulus and a gradual decrease in the loss modulus for frequencies of about 1 Hz and above. At these frequencies, the spine cannot function as a shock-absorber in pure compression.