Analysis of Biomechanical Properties of Whole Cervical Spine under Static Loading with 3-D Finite Element Model

Lee, Choon Ki; Yeom, Jin Sup; Kim, Young Eun; Lee, Sang Hoon; Chang, Bong Soon

Abstract

The biomechanical responses, such as nucleus pulposus pressure, facet contact force, stress distribution among ligaments in the cervical spine under static loading like flexion and extension, were examined with 3-D nonlinear finite element model. Finite element model consisted of whole cervical spines with intact discs and ligaments was developed from 1mm thick CT-cross sections of a 25-year-old healthy young man. Geometrical nonlinearity was considered for the large deformation and ABAQUS package was used for calculation. Results were verified comparing with those of existing in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results indicated that, developed cervical spine FEM was well consistent with other experiments. Nucleus pulposus pressure increased in flexion and extension more in lower cervical region. Facet contact force increased more in lower cervical spine in extension. In addition, capsular ligament was the most important one among 7 cervical ligaments surrounding cervical spine both in flexion and extension. We could better understand the biomechanics of whole cervical spine with developed finite element model and it might be applied to dynamic or postoperative study.