title: [Finite element analysis on stress change of the lumbar disc degeneration].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Zhi
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhi-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xue-Song
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ze-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jian-Guo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gui-Xing
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: 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