Progress of Finite Element Method Applied in Biomechanical Researches on Lumbar Fusion and Replacement / 医用生物力学

The research progress of finite element method (FEM) applied in biomechanics of lumbar fusion and artificial lumbar disc replacement was reviewed and its prospect was forecasted. The main research directions of FEM are optimal selection of operation plans before the surgery, performance evaluation of implanted devices and prediction of postoperative outcomes. Based on the recent research progress, the application prospects of FEM in simulation of personalized surgery, evaluation of elastic implants and postoperative prediction of novel operation method were discussed. By reviewing and prospecting the application of FEM in biomechanical research of lumbar fusion and artificial lumbar disc replacement, the purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical references and practical guidance for the treatment of lumbar diseases in clinic.

Lumbar lordosis after lumbar disc replacement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Artificial total disc replacement is one treatment of low back pain in recent years, but the report on the effect of disc replacement on lumbar sagittal plane is rare. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of lumbar disc replacement on lumbar lordosis. METHODS:Retrospective analysis of radiographic data of 17 patients who underwent lumbar disc replacement for single segment degenerative disc disease was carried out. Data measurement included preoperative and postoperative lumbar lordosis, diseased segmental lordosis and lumbar intervertebral angle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the 17 patients were fol owed-up for more than 12 months. Lumbar disc replacement was performed at L4-5 segment in three cases and L5-S1 segment in 14 cases. The average diseased segmental lordosis and lumbar lordosis were increased significantly after replacement when compared with those before replacement (P<0.05);the lumbar intervertebral angle was increased after replacement when compared with that before replacement, but the difference was not significant. The results indicate that lumbar disc replacement for the treatment of single segment degenerative disc disease can increase the lumbar lordosis and diseased segmental lordosis, which can help to improve the lumbar sagittal balance. The postoperative lumbar intervertebral angle has no correlation with the implant angle of the prosthesis on the replace segment.