Objective To establish the finite element model of upper cervical vertebrae C0-3 with Jefferson fracture, and to analyze the influence of posterior atlantoaxial fusion (PSF) and occipitocervical fusion (OCF) on biomechanical properties of the vertebral body and mechanical conduction of the screw-rod system. Methods Based on CT images, the C0-3 segment Jefferson fracture model of human upper cervical spine was established. PSF, OCF1 and OCF2 internal fixation were performed according to surgical plan in clinic, and 50 N concentrated force and 1.5 N·m torque were applied to bottom of the occipital bone. The stress distribution and range of motion (ROM) of the cervical vertebral body, the maximum stress of the screw-rod system and the stress distribution of the intervertebral disc for C0-3 segment during flexion, extension, bending and rotation of the upper cervical spine were studied. Results Compared with PSF, the ROM of OCF1 and OCF2 vertebral bodies increased, and the stress of the nail rod decreased. OCF had a better fixation effect. Conclusions PSF, OCF1 and OCF2 fixation method can reduce the upper cervical ROM and restore stability of the upper cervical spine, which make stress distributions of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc tend to be at normal level. The research result can provide a theoretical basis for clinical surgery plan.

Objective To investigate the influence of ROI-C cervical implantation in the C5-6 segment on the C3-7 range-of-motion (ROM), biomechanical properties of the intervertebral disc and the vertebral body, and the mode of force transmission. Methods Two types of surgeries, ROI-C implantation and autograft fusion with plate fixation, were considered to establish the finite element model of cervical C5-6 segment degeneration. The ROM of C3-7 during flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, as well as stress distributions on the adjacent discs, vertebral body, and implanted devices under two procedures, were analyzed. Results ROI-C implantation had a relatively small influence on the ROM of the adjacent segment. The stress on the vertebral discs was reduced, but the stress on the vertebral body increased significantly, with the C5 vertebral body stress increasing by 251%. In the fusion surgery model, the ROM of the surgical segment was reduced by 86%-91%, while the ROM of the adjacent segments and the stress on the vertebral disc and vertebral body increased significantly. Conclusions ROI-C implantation surgery has a relatively small influence on the cervical ROM and the intervertebral disc, and it has a greater impact on the vertebral body. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for the design of operation plans and clinical studies on ROI-C implantation and autograft fusion with plate fixation.