Professor Alf Nachemson

Forklift seat manufacturer Grammer AG has lamented the death of a Swedish professor it called "probably the most famous and successful spine researcher of all time".

In a media statement, Grammer said the death of Professor Alf Nachemson, on December 4, 2006, at the age of 75, meant the international spinal research industry had lost one of its most prominent researchers.

Grammer spokesperson Sandra Mohr said the German seat manufacturer and "the whole world of biomechanics and ergonomists" held Nachemson and his research in high regard.

Nachemson had advocated interdisciplinary research to prevent back pain and facilitate treatment.

Mohr said Nachemson worked with psychologists, biologists, engineers and orthopaedic surgeons in the 1960s on back pain prevention. Interdisciplinary research was considered revolutionary at that time.

In September 2005, Nachemson presented the inaugural address at the 2nd ergonomics congress in Amberg. Grammer AG and ergonomic chair systems manufacturer SATO Office GmbH sponsored the congress to foster an ergonomic approach to designing seats that could prevent back pain.

Nachemson, nicknamed "Dr Spine of the world" by colleagues and students, was appointed professor and chairman of orthopaedic surgery at Göteborg University and Sahlgrenska Hospital in 1971. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, and his children, Louise, Mikael, Lotta and Sophie.