Next Article in Journal
Effects of Shoe Midfoot Bending Stiffness on Multi-Segment Foot Kinematics and Ground Reaction Force during Heel-Toe Running
Next Article in Special Issue
Biomechanical Investigation of Hallux Valgus Deformity Treated with Different Osteotomy Methods and Kirschner Wire Fixation Strategies Using the Finite Element Method
Previous Article in Journal
Antimicrobial Activity of Blow Spun PLA/Gelatin Nanofibers Containing Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles against Wound Infection-Causing Bacteria
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Stress Distribution on Spinal Cord According to Type of Laminectomy for Large Focal Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Based on Finite Element Method

1
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
2
Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
3
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
4
Department of Convergence Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
5
Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Bioengineering 2022, 9(10), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100519
Submission received: 24 August 2022 / Revised: 15 September 2022 / Accepted: 29 September 2022 / Published: 2 October 2022

Abstract

:
Most studies on the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) using the finite element method were conducted in the neutral state, and the resulting decompression was judged to be good. As these studies do not reflect the actual behavior of the cervical spine, this study conducted an analysis in the neutral state and a biomechanical analysis during flexion and extension behaviors. After validation via the construction of an intact cervical spine model, the focal OPLL model was inserted into the C4–C5 segment and a simulation was performed. The neutral state was shown by applying a fixed condition to the lower part of the T1 and Y-axis fixed condition of the spinal cord and simulating spinal cord compression with OPLL. For flexion and extension simulation, a ±30-degree displacement was additionally applied to the top of the C2 dens. Accordingly, it was confirmed that spinal cord decompression did not work well during the flexion and extension behaviors, but rather increased. Thus, if patients with focal OPLL inevitably need to undergo posterior decompression, additional surgery using an anterior approach should be considered.

1. Introduction

The human spine supports the body’s weight, aids in movement, and plays an important role in protecting the spinal cord. Among the vertebrae, the cervical spine is the most frequently injured part, and cervical spine injury can be life-threatening [1,2,3]. In addition, the cervical vertebrae have a wider range of behaviors than other vertebrae. Thus, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in this area has a greater effect on the spinal cord; therefore, special attention is required [4].
OPLL is in the spinal canal, which is located at the back of the vertebral body. In this condition, the posterior ligament, one of the ligaments connecting the top to the bottom of the vertebrae, becomes abnormally stiff and enlarges. In other words, the ligaments that help in the normal movement of the spine, are ossified and enlarged against the spinal cord and cause neurological disorders [5].
Neural decompression is the only treatment available for OPLL. Some methods involve the removal of ossified ligaments, while other methods include simple decompression without removal of such ligaments. Anterior decompression is generally required to remove ossified ligaments, especially the focal type. Ossified ligament removal is a fundamental treatment but has a high risk of fatal complications due to dura mater or spinal cord damage during surgery, and it is difficult to treat multi-segmental lesions. The anterior approach is preferred in patients with kyphosis with OPLL at 1 level or 2 level. Meanwhile, posterior decompression is generally preferred for simple neural decompression. With this procedure, the incidence of fatal complications is low, and decompression of several segments is easy [6,7,8]. The posterior approach is preferred for multiple lesions with cervical lordosis. On the other hand, in the case of one level and lordosis, both anterior and posterior approaches can be considered [9]. Although this posterior approach has many advantages, biomechanical problems may occur when the cervical vertebrae are moved, depending on the type of OPLL remaining after surgery. This may be attributed to the fact that in the posterior approach, ossified ligaments are not removed.
However, the studies that have been conducted thus far are limited to the stresses that act on the spinal cord and nerve roots in the neutral state [10]. Therefore, in this study, OPLL and laminectomy models were constructed; flexion and extension behaviors were simulated, and the results were analyzed.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Fabrication and Validation of the Intact Cervical Spine Model

A three-dimensional (3D) intact cervical spine model was constructed to simulate OPLL and apply laminectomy. Generally, the cervical spine comprises various hard/soft tissues. To construct a standardized model, we developed a cervical spine model with an average lordotic value based on clinical knowledge and clinical paper data [11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. The intact cervical spine model consists of the cortical bone, cancellous bone, intervertebral disc (IVD), anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), capsular ligament (CL), ligamentum flavum (LF), interspinous ligament (ISL), supraspinous ligament (SSL), and spinal cord [Figure 1].
The material properties and cross-sectional areas were based on previous clinical data and consisted of tension-only beams for the ALL, PLL, ISL, and SSL (Table 1 and Table 2). In the case of IVD, Mooney–Rivlin coefficients were applied as a hyperelastic model, and the remaining materials were configured as a linear elastic isotropic model.
Flexion and extension simulation were performed by applying the physical properties of each tissue to the intact cervical spine model and constructing a finite element model to apply ±1 Nm to the top of the C2 dens and a fixed condition to the lower part of T1. Since it was verified with the experimental data value of Panjabi, the same ±1 Nm as Panjabi was applied. The simulations showed that the range of motion (ROM) of each segment was comparable to the data obtained by Panjabi [18].

2.2. Fabrication of the OPLL Cervical Spine and Laminectomy Models

The OPLL model was constructed with three types of covered disc, covered vertebra, and connected vertebra, which showed a large number of frequencies [19] [Figure 2]. Type 1 OPLL is covered disc, type 2 OPLL is covered vertebra, and type 3 OPLL is connected vertebra.
Generally, posterior decompression aims to achieve decompression by securing space. Therefore, in this study, laminectomy was simulated when C4 and C5 lamina were removed [Figure 3].

2.3. Fabrication of the Finite Element Model and Simulation

A finite element model including a total of 12 cases was constructed based on three cases of the OPLL cervical spine model and three types of laminectomies. Finite element model’s mesh element types are on Table 3 and mesh quality average was 0.77, skewness average was 0.34, orthogonal quality average was 0.69. The simulation was performed by applying a fixed condition to the lower part of the T1 and Y-axis fixed condition of the lower part of the spinal cord. Thereafter, neutral simulation was performed, in which the OPLL model was placed in the cervical vertebrae in the neutral state and compressed the spinal cord while moving toward the spinal cord. The OPLL growth gradually progressed. The finite element model for flexion and extension simulation was constructed by extracting the spinal cord shape in 12 cases, which were changed by simulation of the neutral state. For flexion and extension simulation, ±30-degree remote displacement was additionally applied to the top of the C2 dens.

3. Results

3.1. Model Validation

For verification, the ROM of each segment was measured when flexion and extension were simulated using the remote point set in the ANSYS program and the flexible rotation probe function at the center point of each upper vertebral body [20,21,22,23]. The results of the intact cervical spine model were confirmed to be within the range of the cadaveric experimental data reported by Panjabi. The ROM in the finite element model in this study was also within the value reported by Panjabi, who performed the experiment on a human body; the finite element model does not match the shape with the experiment, but it is considered suitable for simulating the behavior of the human body [Figure 4 and Figure 5].

3.2. Neutral Laminectomy Simulation

As a result of neutral laminectomy simulation, in type 1 OPLL, the spinal cord moved 0.6464 mm (C4 direction) posteriorly during C4 laminectomy, 1.1641 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C5 laminectomy. It moved 0.4882 mm (C4 direction), 1.1596 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C4–C5 laminectomy.
In type 2 OPLL, the spinal cord moved 0.6629 mm (C4 direction) posteriorly during C4 laminectomy, 0.9934 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C5 laminectomy. It moved 0.5767 mm (C4 direction), 0.9273 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C4–C5 laminectomy.
In type 3 OPLL, the spinal cord moved 0.6255 mm (C4 direction) posteriorly during C4 laminectomy, 1.1541 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C5 laminectomy. It moved 0.5424 mm (C4 direction), 1.1524 mm (C5 direction) posteriorly during C4–C5 laminectomy.
The stresses and shapes acting on the spinal cord when laminectomy is applied to each type of OPLL are shown below [Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8].
The results of the neutral simulation and decompression are shown in Figure 9 and Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6.
The % expressed below is the decompression rate when each laminectomy is applied based on the non-surgery model for each type of OPLL. The −(minus) value indicates that the stress acting on the spinal cord increased.
The decompression rate of the maximum principal stress value in, the case of type 1 OPLL was 28.40% for C4 laminectomy, 35.26% for C5 laminectomy, and 60.37% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 21.93% for C4 laminectomy, 43.63% for C5 laminectomy, and 63.32% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 27.12% for C4 laminectomy, 37.38% for C5 laminectomy, and 60.54% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the minimum principal stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 21.60% for C4 laminectomy, 18.78% for C5 laminectomy, and 62.07% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 0.85% for C4 laminectomy, 51.59% for C5 laminectomy, and 60.69% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 22.65% for C4 laminectomy, 12.61% for C5 laminectomy, and 58.26% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the maximum von-Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 8.43% for C4 laminectomy, 20.95% for C5 laminectomy, and 64.20% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 3.08% for C4 laminectomy, 53.16% for C5 laminectomy, and 65.73% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was −16.58% for C4 laminectomy, 8.67% for C5 laminectomy, and 58.86% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the average von-Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 7.35% for C4 laminectomy, 16.67% for C5 laminectomy, and 43.87% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 28.02% for C4 laminectomy, 47.51% for C5 laminectomy, and 61.60% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 28.90% for C4 laminectomy, 38.68% for C5 laminectomy, and 57.72% for C4–C5 laminectomy.

3.3. Flexion Laminectomy Simulation

The results of the flexion simulation and decompression are shown in Figure 10 and Table 7, Table 8 and Table 9.
The % expressed below is the decompression rate when each laminectomy is applied based on the non-surgery model for each type of OPLL. The −(minus) value indicates that the stress acting on the spinal cord increased.
The decompression rate of the maximum principal stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 18.42% for C4 laminectomy, −17.02% for C5 laminectomy, and 25.26% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 16.65% for C4 laminectomy, 15.26% for C5 laminectomy, and 32.67% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 32.34% for C4 laminectomy, 18.35% for C5 laminectomy, and 54.79% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the minimum principal stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 29.07% for C4 laminectomy, −26.45% for C5 laminectomy, and 40.73% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was −33.35% for C4 laminectomy, 5.86% for C5 laminectomy, and 49.33% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 9.78% for C4 laminectomy, −12.17% for C5 laminectomy, and 29.60% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the maximum von Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 was −19.04% for C4 laminectomy, −22.99% for C5 laminectomy, and 25.34% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was −22.53% for C4 laminectomy, 18.40% for C5 laminectomy, and 47.10% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was −75.14% for C4 laminectomy, −14.61% for C5 laminectomy, and 27.78% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the average von Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 21.53% for C4 laminectomy, −17.20% for C5 laminectomy, and 25.28% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 16.08% for C4 laminectomy, 14.58% for C5 laminectomy, and 35.35% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 34.08% for C4 laminectomy, 13.60% for C5 laminectomy, and 40.10% for C4–C5 laminectomy.

3.4. Extension Laminectomy Simulation

The results of the extension simulation and decompression are shown in Figure 11 and Table 10, Table 11 and Table 12.
The % expressed below is the decompression rate when each laminectomy is applied based on the non-surgery model for each type of OPLL. The −(minus) value indicates that the stress acting on the spinal cord increased.
The decompression rate of the maximum principal stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 22.64% for C4 laminectomy, 3.90% for C5 laminectomy, and 30.45% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 13.74% for C4 laminectomy, 0.53% for C5 laminectomy, and −6.36% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 35.71% for C4 laminectomy, 12.54% for C5 laminectomy, and −39.13% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the minimum principal stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 32.96% for C4 laminectomy, 36.38% for C5 laminectomy, and 84.78% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 32.02% for C4 laminectomy, 58.10% for C5 laminectomy, and 85.85% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 8.56% for C4 laminectomy, −39.07% for C5 laminectomy, and 47.76% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the maximum von Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 OPLL was 38.36% for C4 laminectomy, 42.85% for C5 laminectomy, and 79.98% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 28.09% for C4 laminectomy, 71.76% for C5 laminectomy, and 78.21% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 13.24% for C4 laminectomy, −18.78% for C5 laminectomy, and 41.88% for C4–C5 laminectomy.
The decompression rate of the average von Mises equivalent stress value, in the case of type 1 was 18.57% for C4 laminectomy, 14.62% for C5 laminectomy, and 41.23% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 2 OPLL, the decompression rate was 14.73% for C4 laminectomy, 12.97% for C5 laminectomy, and 25.92% for C4–C5 laminectomy. In type 3 OPLL, the decompression rate was 24.23% for C4 laminectomy, 4.66% for C5 laminectomy, and 49.22% for C4–C5 laminectomy.

4. Discussion

In previous studies on the cervical spine, ligament models were generally composed of beams [24,25]. However, in this study, the LF and CL were constructed as a solid-type 3D model to analyze all structures that could compress the spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord due to excessive buckling of the LF may occur [26,27]. When the spinal cord is pushed back by the OPLL, the ROM of the spinal cord is limited, as in an actual human body. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was excluded during the construction of the spinal cord model in this study, and the physical property value of the dura mater was applied to the cord surface using the surface coating function in the ANSYS program. This is configured accordingly as when the spinal cord is pressed by the OPLL, the CSF is pushed out, and the dura mater comes into contact with the cord and transfers the pressure. Herein, the OPLL model was composed of three types showing a large number of frequencies. The constructed OPLL model was then inserted into the C4–C5 segment. This is due to the canal being small and having a wide ROM; therefore, it has a large impact on the spinal cord [28].
The validation results of the intact cervical spine model were confirmed to be within the range of the cadaveric experimental data by Panjabi, which showed that the normal cervical model constructed in this study is suitable for simulating human behaviors.
All simulation results were confirmed to be lower than the tensile strength values of the spinal cord and ligaments, indicating that there was no failure of the spinal cord and ligaments in the simulation [29,30,31].
Based on the results of the neutral simulation, it was confirmed that the decompression applied to C5 was better than that applied to C4 when laminectomy was performed on a single segment. In the case of C4 laminectomy of type 3 OPLL, the maximum equivalent stress increased. The neutral simulation confirmed that the decompression was good when the C4–C5 laminectomy was performed. However, as this also showed an average decompression rate of 60%, it was confirmed that the residual stress in the spinal cord remained.
Flexion and extension laminectomy simulations were performed by extracting the deformed spinal cord from the neutral-state simulation. As only the deformed spinal cord was extracted, the simulation proceeded from the zero base, which did not have any stress acting on the cord. This was analyzed for the decompression of laminectomy during flexion and extension, considering that the stress acting on the spinal cord in the neutral state is very small as the spinal cord has deformed over time.
Based on the results of the flexion laminectomy simulation, it was confirmed that the maximum equivalent stress increased after C4 laminectomy of type 1 OPLL and that all stresses increased after C5 laminectomy. The minimum principal and maximum equivalent stresses increased after C4 laminectomy of type 2 OPLL. Finally, the maximum equivalent stress increased after the C4 laminectomy of type 3 OPLL.
Based on the results of the extension laminectomy simulation, it was confirmed that the maximum principal stress increased after C5 and C4–C5 laminectomies of type 1 OPLL. The maximum principal stress increased after C4–C5 laminectomy of type 2 OPLL. Finally, the minimum principal and maximum equivalent stresses after C5 laminectomy and the maximum principal stress after C4–C5 laminectomy of type 3 OPLL increased.
Based on the results of the neutral simulation, decompression was considered good when laminectomy was performed; however, it was confirmed that the stress value increased during flexion and extension. Taken together, the surgical prognosis may be poor owing to residual stress and increasing stress when laminectomy is performed on patients with focal OPLL.

5. Conclusions

The results for the neutral state were good. Therefore, if emergency decompression is required, it may be possible to perform posterior decompression first. However, based on the flexion and extension simulation results, posterior decompression alone has a poor prognosis in cases of focal OPLL; therefore, an additional anterior approach should be considered as early as possible.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, J.L. and C.L.; methodology, O.S.; software, O.S.; validation, J.L., C.L. and O.S.; formal analysis, O.S. and C.L.; investigation, O.S., J.L. and C.L.; resources, J.L. and C.L.; data curation, D.R., J.L., C.L, and O.S.; writing—original draft preparation, O.S.; writing—review and editing, D.R., J.L., O.S. and C.L.; visualization, O.S.; supervision, J.L. and C.L.; project administration, J.L. and C.L.; funding acquisition, J.L. and C.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT). (No. NRF-2019R1C1C1002905, JL.; No. NRF-2022R1F1A1066509, CL).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analyses, writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

References

  1. Kim, Y.H.; Khuyagbaatar, B.; Kim, K. Recent advances in finite element modeling of the human cervical spine. J. Mech. Sci. Technol. 2018, 32, 1–10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Zhang, Q.H.; Teo, E.C.; Ng, H.W. Development and validation of a C0-C7 FE complex for biomechanical study. J. Biomech. Eng. 2005, 127, 729–735. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  3. Mustafy, T.; Moglo, K.; Adeeb, S.; EI-Rich, M. Injury mechanisms of the ligamentous cervical C2-C3 functional spinal unit to complex loading modes: Finite element study. J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater. 2016, 53, 384–396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Carr, D.A.; Abecassis, I.J.; Hofstetter, C.P. Full endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of the cervical spine: Surgical technique and early experience. J. Spine Surg. 2020, 6, 447. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Chang, H. Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Asian Spine J. 2006, 13, 153–162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Tani, T.; Ushida, T.; Ishida, K.; Iai, H.; Noguchi, T.; Yamamoto, H. Relative safety of Anterior Microsurgical decompression Versus laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy with a massive ossified posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine 2002, 27, 2491–2498. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Houston, J.K.; Cooper, P.R. Laminectomy and posterior cervical plating for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: Effect on cervical alignment, spinal cord compression and neurological outcome. Neurosurgery 2003, 52, 1081–1088. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Satomi, K.; Nishu, Y.; Kohno, T.; Hirabayashi, K. Long-term follow-up studies of open-door expansive laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy. Spine 1994, 19, 507–510. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Li, C.; Mei, Y.; Li, L.; Li, Z.; Huang, S. Posterior Decompression and Fusion with Vertical Pressure Procedure in the Treatment of Multilevel Cervical OPLL with Kyphotic Deformity. Orthop. Surg. 2022, 14, 2361–2368. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Khuyagbaatar, B.; Kim, K.; Park, W.M.; Kim, Y.H. Influence of sagittal and axial types of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament on mechanical stress in cervical spinal cord: A finite element analysis. Clin. Biomech. 2015, 30, 1133–1139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Lee, S.H.; Im, Y.J.; Kim, K.T.; Kim, Y.H.; Park, W.M.; Kim, K. Comparison of cervical spine biomechanics after fixed-and mobile-core artificial disc replacement: A finite element analysis. Spine 2011, 36, 700–708. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Wang, Z.; Zhao, H.; Liu, J.-M.; Tan, L.-W.; Liu, P.; Zhao, J.-H. Resection or degeneration of uncovertebral joints altered the segmental kinematics and load-sharing pattern of subaxial cervical spine: A biomechanical investigation using a C2–T1 finite element model. J. Biomech. 2016, 49, 2854–2862. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Toubiana Meyer, R.; Sandoz, B.; Laville, A.; Laporte, S. Parametric finite element modelling of the human lower cervical spinal cord. Comput. Methods Biomech. Biomed. Eng. 2013, 16, 193–194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Eberlein, R.; Holzapfel, G.A.; Fröhlich, M. Multi-Segment FEA of the Human Lumbar Spine including the Heterogeneity of the Annulus Fibrosus. Comput. Mech. 2004, 34, 147–163. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Sayit, E.; Daubs, M.D.; Aghdasi, B.; Montgomery, S.R.; Inoue, H.; Wang, C.J.; Wang, B.J.; Phan, K.H.; Scott, T.P. Dynamic Changes of the Ligamentum Flavum in the Cervical Spine Assessed with Kinetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Glob. Spine J. 2013, 3, 69–74. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  16. Sim, O.; Lee, J.H.; Lee, C.S. Investigation of Biomechanical Behavior of Cervical Spine according to Types of Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament based on Finite Element Method. Trans. Korean Soc. Mech. Eng. B 2021, 45, 587–595. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Kim, C.J.; Son, S.M.; Choi, S.H.; Goh, T.S.; Lee, J.S.; Lee, C.S. Numerical Evaluation of Spinal Stability after Posterior Spinal Fusion with Various Fixation Segments and Screw Types in Patients with Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Finite Element Analysis. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 3243. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Panjabi, M.M.; Crisco, J.J.; Vasavada, A.; Oda, T.; Cholewicki, J.; Nibu, K.; Shin, E.B. Mechanical Properties of the Human Cervical Spine as Shown by Three-Dimensional Load-Displacement Curves. Spine 2001, 26, 2692–2700. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Ito, K.; Yukawa, Y.; Machino, M.; Kobayakawa, A.; Kato, F. Range of Motion Determined by Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography in Patients with Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament. Nagoya J. Med. Sci. 2015, 77, 221–228. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361524/ (accessed on 24 August 2022).
  20. Lim, B.Y.; Kim, Y.; Lee, C.S. Numerical Investigation of the Sternoclavicular Joint Modeling Technique for Improving the Surgical Treatment of Pectus Excavatum. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 7357. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Goh, T.S.; Lim, B.Y.; Lee, J.S.; Lee, C.S. Identification of Surgical Plan for Syndesmotic Fixation Procedure based on Finite Element Method. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 4349. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Song, C.H.; Park, J.S.; Choi, B.W.; Lee, J.S.; Lee, C.S. Computational Investigation for Biomechanical Characteristics of Lumbar Spine with Various Porous Ti–6Al–4V Implant Systems. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 8023. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Park, J.S.; Goh, T.S.; Song, C.H.; Lee, J.S.; Lee, C.S. Evaluation for Mechanical Characteristics of Adjacent Segment and Implants after PLIF by Lordosis Angle of Lumbar Fusion using Finite Element Method. Trans. Korean Soc. Mech. Eng. B 2022, 46, 1–9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Park, W.M.; Jin, Y.J. Biomechanical investigation of extragraft bone formation influences on the operated motion segment after anterior cervical spinal discectomy and fusion. Sci. Rep. 2019, 9, 18850. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  25. Phuntsok, R.; Provost, C.W.; Dailey, A.T.; Brockmeyer, D.L.; Ellis, B.J. The atlantoaxial capsular ligaments and transverse ligament are the primary stabilizers of the atlantoaxial joint in the craniocervical junction: A finite element analysis. J. Neurosurg. Spine 2019, 31, 501–507. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Taghvaei, M.; Meybodi, K.T.; Zeinalizadeh, M. Ligamentum flavum buckling causing immediate post-operative neurological deterioration after an anterior cervical discectomy: Case report. Turk Neurosurg 2018, 28, 678–681. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Jbarah, O.F.; Jarrar, S.; Abushukair, H.M.; Syaj, S.S. Buckling of the Ligamentum Flavum as a Rare Complication of Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion: A Case Report. Arq. Bras. Neurocir. Braz. Neurosurg. 2021, 40, e399–e403. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Fujimori, T.; Iwasaki, M.; Nagamoto, Y.; Kashii, M.; Ishii, T.; Sakaura, H.; Sugamoto, K.; Yoshikawa, H. Three-Dimensional Measurement of Intervertebral Range of Motion in Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Are There Mobile Segments in the Continous Type? J. Neurosurg. Spine 2012, 17, 74–81. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Okazaki, T.; Kanchiku, T.; Nishida, N.; Ichihara, K.; Sakuramoto, I.; Ohgi, J.; Funaba, M.; Imajo, Y.; Suzuki, H.; Chen, X.; et al. Age-related changes of the spinal cord: A biomechanical study. Exp. Ther. Med. 2018, 15, 2824–2829. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Adams, M.A. Intervertebral Disc Tissues. In Mechanical Properties of Aging Soft Tissues; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2015; pp. 7–35. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Myklebust, J.B.; Pintar, F.; Yoganandan, N.; Cusick, J.F.; Maiman, D.; Myers, T.J.; Sances, A. Tensile Strength of Spinal Ligaments. Spine 1988, 13, 526–531. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Figure 1. Three-dimensional cervical spine model.
Figure 1. Three-dimensional cervical spine model.
Bioengineering 09 00519 g001
Figure 2. Three-dimensional OPLL model: (a) type 1 OPLL: covered disc; (b) type 2 OPLL: covered vertebra; and (c) type 3 OPLL: connected vertebra.
Figure 2. Three-dimensional OPLL model: (a) type 1 OPLL: covered disc; (b) type 2 OPLL: covered vertebra; and (c) type 3 OPLL: connected vertebra.
Bioengineering 09 00519 g002
Figure 3. Finite element model of the OPLL cervical spine model: (a) non-surgery model; (b) C4 laminectomy model; (c) C5 laminectomy model; and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model. OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Figure 3. Finite element model of the OPLL cervical spine model: (a) non-surgery model; (b) C4 laminectomy model; (c) C5 laminectomy model; and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model. OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Bioengineering 09 00519 g003
Figure 4. Finite element model: (a) flexion; and (b) extension.
Figure 4. Finite element model: (a) flexion; and (b) extension.
Bioengineering 09 00519 g004
Figure 5. Validation based on Panjabi’s experimental data.
Figure 5. Validation based on Panjabi’s experimental data.
Bioengineering 09 00519 g005
Figure 6. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 1 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Figure 6. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 1 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g006
Figure 7. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 2 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Figure 7. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 2 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g007
Figure 8. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 3 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Figure 8. Neutral laminectomy simulation type 3 OPLL: (a) non-surgery model equivalent stresses (Pa); (b) C4 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); (c) C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa); and (d) C4–C5 laminectomy model equivalent stresses (Pa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g008
Figure 9. Neutral laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Figure 9. Neutral laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g009
Figure 10. Flexion laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Figure 10. Flexion laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g010
Figure 11. Extension laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Figure 11. Extension laminectomy simulation: (a) maximum and minimum principal stresses (kPa); and (b) maximum and average equivalent stresses (kPa).
Bioengineering 09 00519 g011
Table 1. Material properties of the cervical spine model.
Table 1. Material properties of the cervical spine model.
MaterialYoung’s Modulus (MPa)Poisson’s RatioReference
VertebraCortical bone12,0000.29[11]
Cancellous bone450
IVDNucleusMooney-Rivlin Model
C10 = 0.12, C01 = 0.09, D1 = 0
[12]
AnnulusMooney-Rivlin Model
C10 = 0.133, C01 = 0.0333, D1 = 0.6
Spinal CordDura mater50.49[13]
Cord0.26
LigamentALL100.3[11]
PLL10
ISL1.5
SSL1.5
CL10
LF1.5
Table 2. Cross-sectional area of spinal ligaments.
Table 2. Cross-sectional area of spinal ligaments.
LigamentCross-Sectional Area (mm2)Reference
ALL10.6[14]
PLL1.6
ISL12
SSL6
Table 3. Type and number of elements on finite element model.
Table 3. Type and number of elements on finite element model.
MaterialTypeNo. of Elements
VertebraCortical bone10-node tetrahedral element128,367
Cancellous bone19,247
IVDNucleus5392
Annulus9902
Spinal CordDura materSurface-coating
Cord20-node hexahedral element16,541
OPLLType 114,095
Type 217,773
Type 321,114
LigamentALLTension-only beam30
PLL30
ISL12
SSL12
CL10-node tetrahedral element2319
LF12,861
Table 4. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Table 4. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 1 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal43.0530.8227.8717.06
Decompression rate0.00%28.40%35.26%60.37%
Min. principal−74.24−58.21−60.30−28.16
Decompression rate0.00%21.60%18.78%62.07%
Max. equivalent53.1948.7142.0519.04
Decompression rate0.00%8.43%20.95%64.20%
Avg. equivalent3.313.062.761.86
Decompression rate0.00%7.35%16.67%43.87%
Table 5. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Table 5. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 2 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal43.0733.6324.2815.80
Decompression rate0.00%21.93%43.63%63.32%
Min. principal−76.29−75.64−36.93−29.99
Decompression rate0.00%0.85%51.59%60.69%
Max. equivalent66.2264.1831.0222.70
Decompression rate0.00%3.08%53.16%65.73%
Avg. equivalent4.583.292.401.76
Decompression rate0.00%28.02%47.51%61.60%
Table 6. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Table 6. Neutral laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 3 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal42.2930.8226.4816.69
Decompression rate0.00%27.12%37.38%60.54%
Min. principal−71.29−55.14−62.30−29.76
Decompression rate0.00%22.65%12.61%58.26%
Max. equivalent45.9753.5941.9918.91
Decompression rate0.00%−16.58%8.67%58.86%
Avg. equivalent4.313.062.641.82
Decompression rate0.00%28.90%38.68%57.72%
Table 7. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Table 7. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 1 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal11.379.2713.308.50
Decompression rate0.00%18.42%−17.02%25.26%
Min. principal−29.60−21.00−37.43−17.55
Decompression rate0.00%29.07%−26.45%40.73%
Max. equivalent16.8920.1120.7712.61
Decompression rate0.00%−19.04%−22.99%25.34%
Avg. equivalent1.651.301.941.23
Decompression rate0.00%21.53%−17.20%25.28%
Table 8. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Table 8. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 2 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal15.0012.5012.7110.10
Decompression rate0.0016.65%15.26%32.67%
Min. principal−29.49−39.33−27.77−14.94
Decompression rate0.00%−33.35%5.86%49.33%
Max. equivalent22.8928.0518.6812.11
Decompression rate0.00%−22.53%18.40%47.10%
Avg. equivalent1.991.671.701.29
Decompression rate0.00%16.08%14.58%35.35%
Table 9. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Table 9. Flexion laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 3 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal11.838.009.665.35
Decompression rate0.00%32.34%18.35%54.79%
Min. principal−22.52−20.32−25.26−15.86
Decompression rate0.00%9.78%−12.17%29.60%
Max. equivalent13.6023.8215.599.82
Decompression rate0.00%−75.14%−14.61%27.78%
Avg. equivalent1.681.111.451.01
Decompression rate0.00%34.08%13.60%40.10%
Table 10. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Table 10. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 1 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 1 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal6.905.337.179.00
Decompression rate0.00%22.64%−3.90%−30.45%
Min. principal−48.39−32.44−30.78−7.36
Decompression rate0.00%32.96%36.38%84.78%
Max. equivalent41.2725.4423.588.26
Decompression rate0.00%38.36%42.85%79.98%
Avg. equivalent1.761.441.511.04
Decompression rate0.00%18.57%14.62%41.23%
Table 11. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Table 11. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 2 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 2 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal8.347.198.308.87
Decompression rate0.00%13.74%0.53%−6.36%
Min. principal−39.96−27.17−16.74−5.65
Decompression rate0.00%32.02%58.10%85.85%
Max. equivalent38.3827.6010.848.36
Decompression rate0.00%28.09%71.76%78.21%
Avg. equivalent1.281.091.120.95
Decompression rate0.00%14.73%12.97%25.92%
Table 12. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Table 12. Extension laminectomy simulation spinal cord stresses: type 3 OPLL.
Unit: kPaType 3 OPLLC4 LaminectomyC5 LaminectomyC4–C5 Laminectomy
Max. principal6.304.055.518.76
Decompression rate0.00%35.71%12.54%−39.13%
Min. principal−22.81−20.86−31.72−11.92
Decompression rate0.00%8.56%−39.07%47.76%
Max. equivalent14.5712.6417.318.47
Decompression rate0.00%13.24%−18.78%41.88%
Avg. equivalent1.621.231.550.82
Decompression rate0.00%24.23%4.66%49.22%
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Sim, O.; Ryu, D.; Lee, J.; Lee, C. Stress Distribution on Spinal Cord According to Type of Laminectomy for Large Focal Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Based on Finite Element Method. Bioengineering 2022, 9, 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100519

AMA Style

Sim O, Ryu D, Lee J, Lee C. Stress Distribution on Spinal Cord According to Type of Laminectomy for Large Focal Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Based on Finite Element Method. Bioengineering. 2022; 9(10):519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100519

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sim, On, Dongman Ryu, Junghwan Lee, and Chiseung Lee. 2022. "Stress Distribution on Spinal Cord According to Type of Laminectomy for Large Focal Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Based on Finite Element Method" Bioengineering 9, no. 10: 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100519

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop