随动载荷对腰椎小关节接触力的影响

目的研究不同大小随动载荷在腰椎不同姿态下对小关节接触力的影响。方法建立非线性三维有限元腰椎模型(L1~S1),并考虑小关节软骨的非均一厚度和非线性材料特征。对腰椎模型施加不同大小的随动力预载荷(0、0.5、0.8、1.2 k N)以及7.5 N·m不同方向上(前屈、后伸、侧弯、轴向旋转)的纯力矩,对比各运动节段两侧小关节上在不同加载工况下的接触力,并定量研究随动载荷对小关节不对称性的影响。结果随动载荷的应用会增大屈伸以及侧弯(同侧)状态下的小关节接触力,而减少侧弯(对侧)时的小关节接触力,而且这种增大(或减小)效应会随着随动载荷本身的增大而减弱。对于轴向扭转,预载荷对小关节力几乎没有影响。在腰椎不同的姿态下,随动载荷对于小关节接触力不对称性的影响按从大到小排列依次为:侧弯(同侧)、前屈、侧弯(对侧)、后伸、轴向扭转。结论随动载荷对腰椎小关节接触力的影响随腰椎运动姿态的不同而不同。在腰椎的生物力学研究中,小关节的不对称性需要被充分考虑,尤其是在生理载荷作用下腰椎后部结构的研究中。

Effect of follower load on facet joint contact force of lumbar spine

Objective To study the influence of follower load on contact force of facet joints under various postures of lumbar spine. Methods A 3D nonlinear finite element model of lumbar spine (L1-S1) was developed, with consideration of the non-uniform thickness and nonlinear material properties of the cartilage layer in facet joints. The model was then applied with different follower preload (0, 0.5, 0.8, 1.2 kN), under pure moment of 7.5 N?m in different directions (flexion, extension, lateral bending, extension and torsion). The contact forces of facet joints on the two sides of each segment under different loading conditions were compared. The asymmetry influence of follower load on contact force of facet joints was also quantitatively studied. Results The follower preload increased the facet force under flexion-extension and bending (ipsilateral), while decreased the force on the contralateral facet under lateral bending. All the effects of follower load on facet force became weaker with the increase of preload. For torsion loading, the preload had almost no effect on facet force. The greatest asymmetry influence of follower load on facet force was under bending (the ipsilateral side), followed by flexion, bending (contralateral side), extension and torsion. Conclusions The follower load shows obviously different effects on contact force of facet joints with different postures. The asymmetry of facet joints should be fully considered in biomechanical studies of lumbar spine, especially in studies on post-structures of lumbar spine under physiological loads.