New interspinous implant evaluation using an in vitro biomechanical study combined with a finite-element analysis.
METHODS
A combined in vitro and finite-element analysis was completed to assess the biomechanical effect of a new interspinous implant on the lumbar spine.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to investigate the effect of an interspinous implant on the biomechanical behavior of a vertebral segment.


METHODS
An in vitro study on L3-L5 segments from fresh human cadavers was conducted combined with a 3-dimensional finite-element analysis. Intact, injured, and instrumented states of L4-L5 were compared loaded in flexion-extension, lateral-bending, and torsion. The evaluated implant is an interspinous spacer fixed to the spine by 2 polyester braids looped around the proximal and distal spinous.


RESULTS
The effect of the implant appeared mainly in flexion-extension: experimental results showed reduced range of motion of the instrumented spine regarding the injured and intact one; and finite-element analysis indicated a decrease of disc stresses and increase of loads transmitted to the spinous processes.


CONCLUSIONS
In this in vitro and finite-element analysis, the role of the new interspinous implant appeared to reduce motion without suppressing it and to lower stress in the disc fibers and anulus matrix. Further in vivo investigations are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Lafage
Virginie
V
Laboratoire de Biomécanique, Paris, France. virginie.lafage@gmail.com
Gangnet
Nicolas
N
Sénégas
Jacques
J
Lavaste
François
F
Skalli
Wafa
W
D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D002102:Cadaver; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000592:standards; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000502:physiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology