OBJECTIVE: To build a 3D finite element model of whole lumbar spine and verify its efficiency and analyze the biomechanical change of L3-4 motion segment. METHODS: L1-L5 segment data were obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of the lumbar spine of a 40-year-old man with no abnormal findings. A three-dimensional finite element model of the human whole lumbar spine was built in the Mimics and the ABAQUS software. The model was composed of bony vertebrae, articulating facets, intervertebral disc and associated ligaments. The basic stress analysis of L3-4 motion segment was made under the considerations of different material properties of bone, ligaments and facet joints contacting frictional property. The stress on annulus fiber, nucleus pulposus, endplate and facet joints under axial pressure (0.3 MPa, 0.5 MPa, 1.0 MPa, 2.0 MPa & 4.0 MPa) were analyzed. RESULTS: A three-dimensional finite element model of human L3-L4 motion segment has 272, 619 elements, the stresses were higher in the posterior of annulus fiber, the Max pressure stress (S33) distributed in nucleus pulposus and the center of endplate. The stresses increased as axial pressure rose. CONCLUSION: 3D finite element model of whole lumbar spine and L3-4 motion segment were established successfully and the stress analyses were feasible and reliable.
OBJECTIVE: To build a 3D finite element model of whole lumbar spine and verify its efficiency and analyze the biomechanical change of L3-4 motion segment. METHODS: L1-L5 segment data were obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of the lumbar spine of a 40-year-old man with no abnormal findings. A three-dimensional finite element model of the human whole lumbar spine was built in the Mimics and the ABAQUS software. The model was composed of bony vertebrae, articulating facets, intervertebral disc and associated ligaments. The basic stress analysis of L3-4 motion segment was made under the considerations of different material properties of bone, ligaments and facet joints contacting frictional property. The stress on annulus fiber, nucleus pulposus, endplate and facet joints under axial pressure (0.3 MPa, 0.5 MPa, 1.0 MPa, 2.0 MPa & 4.0 MPa) were analyzed. RESULTS: A three-dimensional finite element model of human L3-L4 motion segment has 272, 619 elements, the stresses were higher in the posterior of annulus fiber, the Max pressure stress (S33) distributed in nucleus pulposus and the center of endplate. The stresses increased as axial pressure rose. CONCLUSION: 3D finite element model of whole lumbar spine and L3-4 motion segment were established successfully and the stress analyses were feasible and reliable.