Kinematic response of the l4-l5 functional spinal unit after a lateral lumbar fusion surgery

Authors: S. C. Caetano, B. Areias, L. C. Sousa, M. Parente, R. Natal, H. Sousa, J. M. Gonçalves

ABSTRACT:

The present work aims to develop a numerical simulation of the direct lateral interbody fusion of L4-L5 spine unit using the finite element (FE) method. In this minimally invasive surgical approach for vertebrae fusion, the Oracle Cage implant is intended to replace lumbar intervertebral discs and to fuse the adjacent vertebral bodies together at vertebral levels L1 to L5. A 3- dimensional, nonlinear finite element model of the L4-L5 functional spine unit is used to study the kinematic stability of the lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Key Words:
Finite element method, lateral lumbar interbody fusion, minimally invasive lumbar fusion, Oracle Cage system
Affiliation:

S. C. Caetano1 | B. Areias2 | L. C. Sousa2 | M. Parente2 | R. Natal2 | H. Sousa3 | J. M. Gonçalves4
1MEB, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal, Portugal
2INEGI e DEMec, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
3Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
4Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Hospital da Luz Arrábida, Porto, Portugal