Finite element analysis reveals artificial disc replacement improves biomechanics in lumbar fusion, suggesting better outcomes.
This study quantitatively evaluates biomechanical effects on L2-L5 of lumbar fusion versus two artificial disc prostheses. Finite element models of normal/operated spines were built; Physiological motions were simulated, with range of motion (RoM) and adjacent discs' peak von Mises stress recorded. Out results showed that fusion increased adjacent stress; mechanical prosthesis enhanced specific RoM, viscoelastic one preserved near-normal RoM/stress. Disc replacement has better biomechanics; viscoelastic prosthesis aids physiological preservation, informing prosthesis design and clinical practice for lumbar degenerative disease.
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Zhao et al. (2025) studied this question.
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