Simulation of the Mechanical Behaviour of the Degenerated L4-L5 Lumbar Spine SegmentPages 106-110
Galina Eremina Abstract:
Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine significantly reduce the quality of life of people. To fully understand the biomechanics of the affected spine, it is crucial to consider the biomechanical alterations caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). Therefore this study is aimed at the development of a discrete element model of the mechanical behavior of the L4-L5 spinal motion segment, which considers the healthy state and early-stage degenerative changes of the L4–L5 intervertebral disc, and numerical study of the influence of the IVD degeneration on stress state and biomechanics of the spine. To analyze the effects of IVD degeneration on spine biomechanics we simulated physiological loading conditions using compressive forces.
The modelling results showed that, at the initial stages of degenerative changes, the amplitude and area of maximum compressive stresses in the intervertebral disc increased. In the degenerated model, a decrease in intradiscal pressure and a dorsal shift of the maximum compressive stresses were observed. These changes in the geometrical and mechanical properties of the disc tissues may contribute to disc bulging, which can further promote the development of an intervertebral hernia.
Keywords: Computer modelling, Lumbar spine, Intervertebral disc degeneration, Bone tissue regeneration, Poroelasticity, Movable cellular automata
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