Biomechanical modeling in surgical treatment of a patient with true lumbar spondylolisthesis

Abstract

Objective. To assess the results of clinical approbation of individual finite-element biomechanical model of a patient’s spino-pelvic complex with subsequent modeling of the best option of surgical treatment. Material and Methods. A biomechanical modeling of changes in the sagittal profile of a patient with degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral spondylolysis, and unstable grade 2 spondylolisthesis of the L4 vertebra was performed. The developed biomechanical model made it possible to assess the characteristics of the stress-strain state of the spinal motion segments aroused due to development of the disease. Within the built biomechanical model of the patient’s spino-pelvic complex, a corrective operation was further modeled that assumed a preservation of harmonious profile of sagittal spino-pelvic relationships. Post-correction characteristics of the stress-strain state of spinal motion segments were studied and compared with preoperative parameters of the biomechanical model. Results. Using methods of biomechanics and computer modeling allowed to calculate the stress-strain state of the lumbosacral spine under static load for two options of fixation and intervertebral cage implantation at the L4–L5 level: four transpedicular screws (L4–L5 vertebrae) and six transpedicular screws (L3–L4–L5 vertebrae). The simulation results showed that neither metal implants, nor elements of the lumbosacral spine experienced critical stresses and deformations that could lead to the destruction and instability of the implant. Conclusion. The developed individual biomechanical finite-element solid model of the spine and pelvis allowed for biomechanical justification of prerequisites for the formation and further progression of degenerative changes in spinal motion segments associated with violations of the sagittal profile due to grade 2 spondylolisthesis of the L4 vertebra. The model built on the results of radiological examination biomechanically substantiated the best option of corrective spine surgery allowing to minimize stresses and deformations by choosing reasonable magnitude of correction of sagittal spino-pelvic parameters and configuration of transpedicular system.