Finite element study on the influence of pore size and structure on stress shielding effect of additive manufactured spinal cage

The stress shielding effect occurs when the orthopedic implant reduces the load delivered to the bone, causing inefficient stress transfer to the host bone. The usage of porous additive manufactured (AM) cages reduces the stress shielding effect and promotes bone ingrowth also. The purpose of this work is to study the stress and deformation on porous hybrid spinal cages under different loading conditions using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The spinal cages consisting of three porous structures with pore sizes ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 mm were investigated for stress shielding and fatigue strength. The results showed a significant reduction in stress shielding for the studied designs and conclude that the pore size has a greater significant effect on stress shielding than the porous structure in spinal cages.

Biomechanical evaluation of four surgical scenarios of lumbar fusion with hyperlordotic interbody cage: A finite element study

BACKGROUND

Lumbar spinal fusion in the interbody space is augmented with interbody fusion cages to provide structural support while arthrodesis occurs. Subsidence is a serious complication of interbody fusion. However, the biomechanical influence of anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and pedicle screws on subsidence has not been fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate biomechanical effects of the hyperlordotic cages in different surgical conditions using finite element analysis.

METHODS

Four surgical finite element (FE) models were constructed by inserting 15 degree lordosis cage at the L3-L4 disc space. The four surgical conditions were ALL intact (M1), ALL resected (M2), ALL intact and bilateral pedicle screws (M3), and ALL resected and bilateral pedicle screws (M4). Follow loads were applied at the L2 vertebral body while the inferior surface of L5 was fixed. FEA was implemented to simulate the four motion modes and biomechanical properties of four fusion scenarios with hyperlordotic interbody cage were compared.

RESULTS

The range of motion (ROM) and facet joint force (FJF) at L3-L4 decreased significantly after fusion during all the motion modes. The cage stress and endplate stress at L3-L4 increased significantly after fusion during all the motion modes. The cage stress and endplate stress at L3-L4 for M3 and M4 were smaller than that for M1 and M2 during all the motion modes. The FJF at L3-L4 for M3 and M4 were smaller than that for M1 and M2 during extension, bending, and rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

ALL has little effect on the biomechanics after lumbar fusion with hyperlordotic interbody cage. The bilateral pedicle screws significantly decreased the stress in cage, stress in endplate at L3-L4, and lowered facet contact force except for flexion mode. The implication is that the supplemental bilateral pedicle screws are recommended whether or not the ALL is resected.

Biomechanical Analysis of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Constructs with Various Fixation Options: Based on a Validated Finite Element Model

BACKGROUND

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion using cage supplemented with fixation has been used widely in the treatment of lumbar disease. A combined fixation (CF) of lateral plate and spinous process plate may provide multiplanar stability similar to that of bilateral pedicle screws (BPS) and may reduce morbidity. The biomechanical influence of the CF on cage subsidence and facet joint stress has not been well described. The aim of this study was to compare biomechanics of various fixation options and to verify biomechanical effects of the CF.

METHODS

The surgical finite element models with various fixation options were constructed based on computed tomography images. The lateral plate and posterior spinous process plate were applied (CF). The 6 motion modes were simulated. Range of motion (ROM), cage stress, endplate stress, and facet joint stress were compared.

RESULTS

For the CF model, ROM, cage stress, and endplate stress were the minimum in almost all motion modes. Compared with BPS, the CF reduced ROM, cage stress, and endplate stress in all motion modes. The ROM was reduced by more than 10% in all motion modes except for flexion; cage stress and endplate stress were reduced more than 10% in all motion modes except for rotation-left. After interbody fusion, facet joint stress was reduced substantially compared with the intact conditions in all motion modes except for flexion.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined plate fixation may offer an alternative to BPS fixation in lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Biomechanical analysis of lumbar interbody fusion cages with various lordotic angles: a finite element study

Inappropriate lordotic angle of lumbar fusion cage could be associated with cage damage or subsidence. The biomechanical influence of cage lordotic angle on lumbar spine has not been fully investigated. Four surgical finite element models were constructed by inserting cages with various lordotic angles at L3-L4 disc space. The four motion modes were simulated. The range of motion (ROM) decreased with increased lordotic angle of cage in flexion, extension, and rotation, whereas it was not substantially changed in bending. The maximum stress in cage decreased with increased lordotic angle of cage in all motion modes. The maximum stress in endplate at surgical level increased with increased lordotic angle of cage in flexion and rotation, whereas it was not substantially changed in extension and bending. The facet joint force (FJF) was much smaller than that for the intact conditions in extension, bending, and rotation, while it was not substantially changed in flexion. In conclusion, the ROM, stresses in the cage and endplate at surgical level are sensitive to the lordotic angle of cage. The increased cage lordotic angle may provide better stability and reduce the risk of cage damage, whereas it may increase the risk of subsidence in flexion and rotation.