본 논문에서는 유한요소해석을 이용하여 흉요추 후방 고정술의 고정분절 변화에 따른 척추 안정성을 평가하였다. 이를 위해 추간판, 인대, 추간관절(Facet joint) 등을 포함한 정상 흉요추(T10–L4)의 유한요소모델을 구축하였으며, 문헌으로 보고된 재료물성치를 부여하였다. 한편, L1을 병변 부위로 가정하였으며, L1-L2, T12-L2, T12-L1-L2 총 3가지 종류의 후방 고정술을 흉요추 유한요소모델에 구현하고 전방 굽힘, 후방 굽힘, 측면 굽힘, 축 회전의 하중 조건을 부여하였다. 시리즈 유한요소해석을 통해 고정분절에 따른 척추경 나사못, 척추골, 추간판의 변형량, 등가 응력, 운동 범위, 모멘트를 계산하였으며, 그 결과를 바탕으로 척추 안정성을 평가하였다.
In this study, we evaluated spinal stability based on the change in the thoracolumbar fixation segment using finite element analysis (FEA). To accomplish this, a finite element (FE) model of a normal thoracolumbar spine (T10-L4), including intervertebral discs (IVD), ligaments, and facet joints, was constructed, and the material properties reported in previous studies were implemented. However, L1 was assumed as the lesion site, and three types of posterior fixation, namely, L1-L2, T12-L2, and T12-L1-L2, were implemented in the thoracolumbar FE model. In addition, the loading conditions for flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were adopted. Through the series FEA, the deformation, equivalent stress, range of motion, and moment on the pedicle screws, vertebrae, and IVD were calculated, and the spinal stability was evaluated based on the FEA results.