Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (6): 840-846.doi: 10.12307/2023.799

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Finite element model establishment and stress analysis of lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis

Kang Zhijie1, Cao Zhenhua2, 3, Xu Yangyang4, Zhang Yunfeng5, Jin Feng6, Su Baoke7, Wang Lidong8, Tong Ling1, Liu Qinghua1, Fang Yuan1, Sha Lirong1, Liang Liang9, Li Mengmeng9, Du Yifei10, Lin Lin11, Wang Haiyan1, Li Xiaohe1, Li Zhijun1   

  1. 1Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, 10Mental Health School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Orthopedics, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; 3Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, 5Department of Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changzhi People’s Hospital, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi Province, China; 6Department of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 7Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 8Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 9First Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 11Affiliated People’s Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China 
  • Received:2022-11-14 Accepted:2023-01-05 Online:2024-02-28 Published:2023-07-11
  • Contact: Wang Haiyan, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Li Xiaohe, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Kang Zhijie, Master candidate, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Cao Zhenhua, MD, Associate chief physician, Department of Orthopedics, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    Natural Science Foundation Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2021MS08086 (to WHY); 2022 Health Science and Technology Plan Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 202201188 (to WHY); Inner Mongolia Medical University 2020 “Achievement Transformation” Project, No. YKD2020CGZH009 (to WHY); Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation, No. 2020MS08124 (to LXH); Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project of “Grassland Talents” Project in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2020 (to LXH); Follow-Up Scientific Research Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. 2020 (to LXH); Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Plan Project, No. 2019GG115 (to LZJ); the Scientific Research Project of the Inner Mongolia Pharmaceutical Collaborative Innovation Center in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2021, No. MYYXTYB202104 (to LXH); Zhiyuan Talent Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University in 2021, No. ZY0120017 (to LXH); 2021 School-Level Key Scientific Research Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2021ZD001 (to LXH); Inner Mongolia Department of Education University Innovation Team Development Plan, No. NMGIRT2227 (to LXH)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity. Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes.
OBJECTIVE: To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis, and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.
METHODS: The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis. The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format, and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively. The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of “Stl” to reconstruct the intervertebral disc, and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained. The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software, and the vertebra, nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided. After the material properties were given, the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1, and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions: extension, forward flexion, rotation (left and right), and lateral flexion (left and right). The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion, and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension. (2) The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension (P < 0.05), and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension (P < 0.05). The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation (P < 0.05). The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments (P < 0.05). (3) The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12, L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension (P < 0.05). The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation (P < 0.05), and that of T11-T12, L1-L2, and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation (P < 0.05). The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment. (4) It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis, the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension. To prevent fractures, it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position. During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment, which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position. The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus. 

Key words: ankylosing spondylitis, lumbar-sacral disc, annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, finite element analysis

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