[Establishment and validation of three dimensional finite element model of lower cervical bilateral facet locking].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the three dimensional finite element model of bilateral cervical articular process locking and verify its effectiveness.


METHODS
A healthy adult male underwent cervical thin-layer computed tomography (CT) scan. The software programs of Simpleware3.0, Geomagic8.0, Hypermesh9.0, Abaqus6.9 and Rhino4.0 were employed to establish a complete C4, C5 segment (including intervertebral disc and ligament tissue) finite element model. A spring force load of 180 n was applied along the direction of cervical curvature. The locking of articular process was simulated. And its effectiveness was compared with previous experiments.


RESULTS
Detailed anatomy structure of cervical spine was established. Simulated bilateral joints in journey finally formed. The load-displacement situations and experiment results of small joint ligament were consistent. And shear forces and displacement differences of modeling was insignificant.


CONCLUSIONS
The three dimensional finite element model of bilateral cervical articular process locking has excellent biological fidelity. And it is suitable for clinical applications.
Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China.
Yanhai
Y
Xi
Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China.
Xiaojian
X
Ye
Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China. Email: hailong0530@126.com.
Hailong
H
He
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*