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Biomechanical analysis of lumbar interbody fusion with an anisotropic hyperelastic model for annulus fibrosis

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Abstract

Based on computed tomography scanning images, this paper developed a detailed finite element model for the human L2–L4 lumbar spine segment with or without L3–L4 fusion. The model included vertebrae, intervertebral disc, facet articulating surfaces and various ligaments. A previously developed hyperelastic fibre-reinforced constitutive model was used to characterize the material property of annulus fibrosus. Numerical results of L3–L4 motion unit such as load–displacement curves and nucleus pressure were compared with experimental data to validate the FE model. The normal and fused lumbar spine segments under various loading conditions, such as flexion, extension and axial rotation, were analysed. The motion range and stress distribution of the L2–L4 models under different loading conditions were then obtained to investigate the effect of lumbar fusion operation. It was shown that under the same loading condition, the fused model had a much smaller body motion range. Interbody fusion brought out obviously different stress distribution in adjacent intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus. And it also increased the intradiscal pressure of adjacent intervertebral disc significantly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China

    Xiongqi Peng

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710072, China

    Xiongqi Peng & Yu Wang

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, 401311, China

    Shaoqing Shi

  4. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Zaoyang Guo

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  1. Xiongqi Peng
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  2. Yu Wang
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  4. Zaoyang Guo
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Correspondence to Xiongqi Peng.

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Peng, X., Wang, Y., Shi, S. et al. Biomechanical analysis of lumbar interbody fusion with an anisotropic hyperelastic model for annulus fibrosis. Arch Appl Mech 83, 579–590 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-012-0705-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-012-0705-6

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