Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Hyperextending treatment for thoracolumbar spine compression fracture has the advantages of good effect, low cost, light damage, and rapid effect. However, clinical application lacks of specification, the mechanism of practices is relative inadequate.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the dynamic biomechanical characteristics of intervertebral disk with the treatment of thoracolumbar spine compression fracture by hyperextending based on finite element method.
METHODS: The finite element model of compression fracture of T₁₂ based on the 210-layer consecutive CT DICOM format images from one patient of compression fracture of T₁₂ was constructed. The hyperextending was stimulated after effective verification of model. All surfaces of the lower of T₁₂ was restrained, a vertical traction at the top of T₁₁ was imposed, and a  3 cm-displacement towards the vertebral by three steps at the top of spinous process of T₁₁, T₁₂, and L₁. The forces of the upper and lower intervertebral discs of compressed vertebrae were read by operational procedure.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A realistic appearance and full biomechanical properties 3D finite element model of thoracolumbar spine compression fracture was established. The intervertebral disks were obviously stretched after hyperextending. The stress of intervertebral disk is different, when the hyperextending fulcrum is different. It is indicated that the treatment effect of thoracolumbar spine compression fracture by hyperextending is exact. The intervertebral disk plays an important role in bone fracture reposition. The mechanism of traditional practices with finite element method has many advantages, such as reliable experimental results, intuitive results, resource conservation and accurate practices.