Analysis of Disc Degeneration in a Poroelastic Spinal Motion Segment FE Model

다공탄성체 척추운동분절 유한요소 모델을 이용한 추간판의 퇴화과정 분석

To investigate the degeneration process in the intervertebral disc, a three dimensional (3D) poroelastic finite-element (FE) model was developed. Disc was modeled as two different regions, such as annulus modeled with fiber reinforced 20 node poroelastic ground matrix and nucleus having large porosity. Excess Von Mises stress in the disc element assumed to be a possible source of degeneration under compressive loading condition. Recursive calculation was continued until the desired convergence was attained by changing the permeability and porosity of those elements, which could be predicted from the previous iteration. The degenerated disc model showed that relatively small compressive stresses were generated in the nucleus elements compared to normal disc. Its distribution along the sagittal plane was matched well with a previously reported experimental result. Contrasts to this result, pore pressures in the nucleus were higher than those in the normal disc. Total stress indicated similar values for two different models. This new approach using poroelastic modeling could provide the explanation of the interaction between fluid and solid matrix in the disc during the degeneration process.