The stress distribution of the lumbar spine and disc degeneration.
A three-dimensional finite element model of the lumbar motion segment was developed to study the effect of disc degeneration upon stress distribution in the lumbar spine. The results showed that after degeneration of the intervertebral disc, the stress distribution and load transmission of the lumbar spine are significantly changed. It is concluded that these changes provide a biomechanical basis for understanding the etiology of spinal canal stenosis and nerve root entrapment.
Dai
L
L
Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai.
Cheng
P
P
Tu
K
K
Xu
Y
Y
Zhang
W
W
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008954:Models, Biological; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical