Biomechanics of posterior mono-segmental fixation for thoracolumbar fractures: a three-dimensional finite element analysis
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-8050.2013.06.007
- VernacularTitle:后路经伤椎单节段固定胸腰椎骨折力学性能的三维有限元分析
- Author:
Yuxin ZHANG
;
Xinlong MA
;
Guijun XU
;
Xin FU
;
Shuli WANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Spinal fractures;
Thoracic vertebrae;
Lumbar vertebrae;
Fracture fixation;
Finite element analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Trauma
2013;(6):507-510
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of thoracolumbar fractures treated by mono-segmental instrumentation in the fractured part for testing effect of such fixation mode on adjacent segments.Methods CT scanning data of T10-L2 were used to build a normal model at T10-L2 region,a fracture model at T12 segment as well as a mono-segment fixation or short-segment fixation model.Stress of discs and vertebral body adjacent to the fixed vertebrae were tested in axial compression,anteflexion,extention,lateroflexion,and axial rotation.Results The fracture model presented significant increase concerning stress of nucleus pulposus and annular fibrosus at T10-T11 segments and annular fibrosus at L1-L2 segments in anteflexion,extention,and lateroflexion when compared with the normal model.General raise range of the stress reached around 75%,but was dropped to 23% after short-segment fixation and to 18% after mono-segmental fixation.And again,stress of nucleus pulposus at L1-L2 segments was increased by 46% or so,which was declined to 12% after short-segment fixation and to 8% after mono-segmental fixation.Stress at lower endplate of T10 and at upper endplate of L2 in the fracture model group were increased by 24% and 43% respectively when compared to the normal model,but both presented a notable drop after internal fixation.The latter was decreased to a level slightly higher than that of model group,namely 8% more after short-segmental fixation and 4% more after mono-segmental fixation; the former was decreased to a level even lower than that of control group,namely 2% less after short-segmental fixation and 8% less after mono-segmental fixation.Conclusion Mono-segmental fixation reduces adjacent disc stress in contrast to conventional short-segmental fixation and hence is an effective alternative treatment of monosegmental thoracolumbar fractures.