Effects of degenerated intervertebral discs on intersegmental rotations, intradiscal pressures, and facet joint forces of the whole lumbar spine.
The effects of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration on biomechanics of the lumbar spine were analyzed. Finite element models of the lumbar spine with various degrees of IVD degeneration at the L4-L5 functional spinal unit (FSU) were developed and validated. With progression of degeneration, intersegmental rotation at the degenerated FSU decreased in flexion-extension and left-right lateral bending, intradiscal pressure at the adjacent FSUs increased in flexion and lateral bending, and facet joint forces at the degenerated FSU increased in lateral bending and axial rotation. These results could provide fundamental information for understanding the mechanism of injuries caused by IVD degeneration.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Won Man
WM
Park
Kyungsoo
K
Kim
Yoon Hyuk
YH
Kim
D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012399:Rotation
Biomechanics; Degeneration; Finite element analysis; Intervertebral disc; Lumbar spine