Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Mathematical form of the finite element method is used to summarize the general structure, shape, material properties, load boundary conditions of the spine, and to observe the impact on the entire structure by changing one parameter.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the establishment method of the lumbar finite element model and the application of the finite element software in lumbar spine biomechanics, as well as the application of the finite element analysis technology in the changes of activity and stress of the adjacent segments after lumbar fusion.
METHODS: PubMed database and CNKI database were used to search the articles published from 1990 to 2010 on the effect of the finite element analysis technology on the changes of stress of the lumbar fusion segments and adjacent segments after modeling of the lumbar spine and different lumbar spine fusion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Finite element analysis technology was widely used in medicine and became the important part. As for spine, the finite element analysis could fully understand the influence of different fusion and variety of fixation methods on its changes of biomechanics, which could improve fusion and optimize the fixation devices. But finite element analysis was the theoretical analysis; the future research would combine with the animal experiments and long-term clinical follow-up, which played an important clinical significance on the prediction of a good long-term efficacy of the surgery and prevention of complications.