CHEN Taiyong,YANG Xi,XIU Peng.Three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution of lower cervical intervertebral disc and articular process cartilage in different O-EA angles after occipitocervical internal fixation[J].Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord,2020,(11):1007-1015.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution of lower cervical intervertebral disc and articular process cartilage in different O-EA angles after occipitocervical internal fixation
Received:June 22, 2020  Revised:October 15, 2020
English Keywords:Complete cervical model with external auditory canal  O-EA angle  Finite element  Biomechanics
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Author NameAffiliation
CHEN Taiyong Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China 
YANG Xi 四川大学华西医院骨科和骨科研究所 610041 成都市 
XIU Peng 四川大学华西医院骨科和骨科研究所 610041 成都市 
刘立岷  
宋跃明  
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English Abstract:
  【Abstract】 Objectives: A three-dimensional finite element model of the whole cervical spine with external auditory canal of occiput and external acoustic meatus to axis angle(O-EA angle) of 80°, 95°, and 110° and equipped with occipitocervical internal fixation system was constructed to study the stress distribution of the lower cervical intervertebral disc and articular process cartilage. Methods: Based on the CT source data of the total cervical spine with external auditory canal of a 29-year-old healthy man, and computed by Mimics 19.0, Geomagic Studio 2015, and Solid Works 2018 software, to establish a three-dimensional finite element model of the whole cervical spine with external auditory canal of O-EA angle of 80°, 95°, and 110° and equipped with occipitocervical internal fixation system. A net torque of 1.5N·m was applied along the skull base surface above the odontoid process, and 75N was applied to simulate skull weight. The stress peaks of C5/6 and C6/7 intervertebral discs and the articular cartilage of C6 and C7 under the conditions of forward flexion, posterior flexion, left flexion and left rotation were measured and compared. Results: The finite element analysis model with external auditory canal was successfully established to simulate occipital and cervical fixation at different O-EA angles(80°, 95°, and 110°). The Von Mise stress peak values of C5/6, C6/7 intervertebral discs, and C6, C7 superior articular process cartilages under flexion, extension and left rotation conditions were smaller than those of the models with O-EA angle of 80° and 110°. Under the left flexion condition, the stress peak of the C5/6 intervertebral disc and the upper articular process of C6 and 7 at O-EA angle of 95° was greater than that at O-EA angle of 80° and 110°, while the stress peak of the C6/7 intervertebral disc at O-EA angle of 95° was greater than that at O-EA angle 110° and less than O-EA angle 80°. Conclusions: The results of three-dimensional finite element analysis indicate that the O-EA angle should be paid attention during occipitocervical internal fixation. The improper O-EA angle may cause the increase of Von-Mise stress peak value of C5/6, C6/7 intervertebral disc and C6, C7 superior articular process cartilage, and then accelerate the degeneration of the lower cervical spine.
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