Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2013, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (3): 328-332.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Finite element analysis of cervical spine following artificial intervertebral disc replacement

XU Bo1 , JIN Da-di 2, ZHANG Mei-chao 3   

  1. 1.Department of Spinal Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China;  2. Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China;  3.Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2013-02-23 Online:2013-05-25 Published:2013-06-06

Abstract:

Objective To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of cervical spine C4~5 segment following PrestigeTM-LP artificial intervertebral disc replacement and analyze segmental motions. Methods The geometry of C4~5 vertebrae was reconstructed from computer tomography (CT) scan images of an adult male human fresh cervical spinal specimen. A FEM of C4~5 vertebrae and PrestigeTM-LP prosthesis was established and simulated clinical operation by using ANSYS10.0 system. Motions of flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation were determined in physiological loading. Results Detailed geometries of vertebral bodies were modeled including ligaments, facet joints, and uncovertebral joints. Motions of flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation are 5.7°, 3.5°, 5.0°,11.3°,respectively and conform with what have been reported in the literature. Conclusions The FEM possesses a high precision of geometries of vertebral bodies and biomechanical character. PrestigeTM-LP artificial disc prosthesis well preserves intervertebral segmental motion for cervical spine.

Key words: Cervical spine, Cervical artificial disc, Finite element model(FEM), Biomechanics

CLC Number: