Biomechanical Comparison between Two Models of the Lumbar Intersomatic Fusion Cage Analyzed by the Finite Element Method

Abstract

There are a few years, it has become the use of artificial discs and effectively to compensate for damaged discs in humans due to the eccentric load applied on the spine. As we know very well that the success of a disc implantation depends strongly on the initial stability of the implant and the integration of the bone tissue of the vertebrae with these discs in the long term. Due to the optimal distribution of mechanical stresses in the surrounding bone. It is for this reason that the search for reasonable solutions to compensate the damaged disk and reduce the stresses in the cortical bone and spongy has become a very important research axis. Several alternatives have been studied, including implant design, prosthesis geometry, prosthetic components and biomaterials used. In this regard, we have proposed two new models for some innovative artificial disks by some of the biomechanics researchers and we have installed these discs between the two vertebrae L5 and S1 of the spine, to ensure spinal stability and avoid slipping, we installed a posterior attachment system (6 screws plus 2 rods) at the pedicular levels of the lumbar vertebra (S1-L5, L5-L4).It is for this technique that we have used finite elements in three dimensions and using the software ANSYS to know the extent of the realization of these discs under the influence of the load applied to them. The numerical results show that these disks played a very important role in the absorption of the stresses and to minimize, On the other hand, the lumbar inter-somatic cage (Model II) filled with cancellous bone is too great a role in reducing the stress compared to another synthetic (Model I) disc. In general, the new model of the inter-somatic cage filled with cancellous bone and reinforced by a posterior fixation system has given a lower level of stress in the cortical bone and the spongy bone of the lumbar vertebra (L5) compared to the healthy disk (D1).