[Finite element analysis on stress change of the lumbar disc degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanical changes of the degenerated lumbar disc with finite element analysis.


METHODS
A three dimensional finite element model of a human lumbar spine at the L3-L4 disc was established by the software MIMICS and ABAQUS based on computer tomography images. Degeneration was modeled by changes in geometry and material properties. The model was loaded with 0.3 MPa in axial plane. The von Mises stress on the annulus fiber, nucleus pulposus, endplate and facet joints in healthy and degenerated discs was compared.


RESULTS
Compared with healthy discs, the von Mises stress of disc distributed in the side of annulus fiber, the stress of nucleus pulposus decreased remarkably, the stress of endplate distributed in the posterior part, and the stress of facet joints increased for the degenerated disc.


CONCLUSIONS
The finite element models can provide a method of understanding the relationship between biomechanical performance of the disc due to disc degeneration.
Yan
Jia-Zhi
JZ
Department of Orthopaedics, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Wu
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Wang
Xue-Song
XS
Xing
Ze-Jun
ZJ
Zhao
Yu
Y
Zhang
Jian-Guo
JG
Wang
Yi-Ping
YP
Qiu
Gui-Xing
GX
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed