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Application of Finite Element Analysis for Investigation of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: from Laboratory to Clinic

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Abstract

Due to the ethical concern and inability to detect inner stress distributions of intervertebral disc (IVD), traditional methods for investigation of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) have significant limitations. Many researchers have demonstrated that finite element analysis (FEA) is an effective tool for the research of IVDD. However, the specific application of FEA for investigation of IVDD has not been systematically elucidated before. In the present review, we summarize the current finite element models (FEM) used for the investigation of IVDD, including the poroelastic nonlinear FEM, diffusive-reactive theory model and cell-activity coupled mechano-electrochemical theory model. We further elaborate the use of FEA for the research of IVDD pathogenesis especially for nutrition and biomechanics associated etiology, and the biological, biomechanical and clinical influences of IVDD. In addition, the application of FEA for evaluation and exploration of various treatments for IVDD is also elucidated. We conclude that FEA is an excellent technique for research of IVDD, which could be used to explore the etiology, biology and biomechanics of IVDD. In the future, FEA may help us to achieve the goal of individualized precision therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Bin-wu Hu, Xiao Lv & Zeng-wu Shao

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China

    Song-feng Chen

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  1. Bin-wu Hu
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  2. Xiao Lv
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  3. Song-feng Chen
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Correspondence to Zeng-wu Shao.

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This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC1100100) and Major Research Plan of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 91649204).

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Hu, Bw., Lv, X., Chen, Sf. et al. Application of Finite Element Analysis for Investigation of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: from Laboratory to Clinic. CURR MED SCI 39, 7–15 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-019-1993-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-019-1993-7

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