ISSN: 2577-297X
Authors: Meddeba M*, Hatirab FB, Habboubia K and Mestiria M
Introduction: Arthrodesis is the most common solution for the treatment of degenerative pathology of the lumbar spine but it can expose to adjacent syndrome in the long term. However, this entity is currently debated, disc degeneration could simply be the consequence of degenerative evolution. The aim of our study was to make numerical simulations on finite element model of the lumbar spine, to analyze the behavior of the adjacent upper and lower intervertebral discs after an arthrodesis. Methods: Von Mises stress distribution on intervertebral discs was analyzed from a validated finite element model of lumbar spine (from L2 to L5), and compared to Von Mises stress distribution on intervertebral disks of the same subject, having an L3-L4 arthrodesis. We fixed the inferior surface of L5 vertebral body and applied increasing loads in axial compression and flexion on the upper surface of L2 vertebral body for the two models, with and without arthrodesis. Results: Von Mises stress in the adjacent discs increase, especially for the upper level, causing an accelerated degeneration of the disc responsible for adjacent syndrome. Our results showed also that L4-L5 disc support the maximum of pressure of the lumbar spine. Conclusion: Intervertebral discs adjacent to an arthrodesis are exposed to an increasing pressure and accelerated degeneration, proving the risk of adjacent syndrome.
Keywords: Spine; Arthrodesis; Spinal fusion; Adjacent Syndrome
