Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering, 2019, 16(6): 7447-7457. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2019373 Research article Special Issues

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Effects of facet joint degeneration on stress alterations in cervical spine C5–C6: A finite element analysis

Huihao Wang, Kuan Wang, Zhen Deng, Xiaofei Li, Yi-Xian Qin, Hongsheng Zhan, Wenxin Niu

1 Shi's Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 201203, China
2 Institute of Traumatology, Shanghai Academy of TCM, Shanghai 201203, China
3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
4 Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201619, China

Received: , Accepted: , Published:

Special Issues: Microsurgical and Minimal Invasive Technologies for Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair

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It has been demonstrated that articular facet degeneration can cause local strain alterations and induce neck pain. This study aims to quantify the biomechanical effects of normal and degenerated C5–C6 articular facets, and evaluate the correlation of mechanical strain between healthy and degenerated spine. A 3-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the C5–C6 cervical spine was developed [Model 0 (M0)]. The asymmetric models of C5–C6 bilateral articular facet joint were established separately to mimic articular facet joint degeneration. The capsule ligament stiffness of C5–C6 unilateral facet joint was altered with minimum and maximum threshold to simulate capsule ligaments’ lesion and calcification [Model 1 (M1) and Model 2 (M2), respectively]. Besides, the cervical C5–C6 unilateral articular facet joint direction was changed by 5° and 10° forward to imitate the moderate joint hyperplasia and severe osteophyte (Model 3 and Model 4 respectively). M1 increased the rotation range of ipsilateral side (left), while M2 reduced, and both had limited effect on the contralateral side (right). The angle increased in Model 3 (M3) (61°) and Model 4 (M4) (55°) comparing to M0 during the axial rotation, and the angle of M4 was larger. M3 and M4 increased the nucleus pulposus pressure with and without controlled angular displacement during axial rotation. The pressure of nucleus pulpous increased during M1 rotating to the abnormal side but decreased when rotating to the other side, but the results of M2 were opposite. The capsule ligament stiffness made an impact on segmental mobility and vertebral spatial position, and the sagittal angle of articular facet joint exerted an influence on disc pressure distribution.

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