Posterior Element Injury and Cervical Spine Flexibility Following Anterior Cervical Fusion and Plating

摘要: Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify the stabilizing effect anterior cervical fusion and plating (ACFP) on various grades simulated flexion/distraction injuries human spine. Material Methods: A finite element approach used. Digitized data from computed tomography a spine were taken generate three-dimensional, anisotrophic, linear model (FEM) C4–C7. Based FEM intact segments (FEM 1), an additional generated: with simulation ACFP C5/6 using bicortical screws 2). Loading each pure moments ± 2.5 Nm in flexion/extension, left/right axial rotation, lateral bending. For validation models, their predictions range motion (ROM) compared results previous, corresponding vitro study, C4–C7 surgically altered same implants. Results: Results obtained by 1 2 for loading case within one standard deviation study. Thus, alterations used following predict changes flexibility after stepwise transection posterior ligaments. An increase ROM occurred single components, which pronounced rotation bending removal capsules. Conclusions: may be sufficient flexion-distraction if capsular ligaments facets are not injured.