• Yulei Ji, Qiaolin Zhang, Yang Song, Qiuli Hu, Gusztáv Fekete, Julien S Baker, and Yaodong Gu.
• Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Sep 9; 101 (36): e30419e30419.

BackgroundTo explore the biomechanical characteristics of 2 posterior bilateral pedicle screw fixation methods using finite element analysis.MethodsA normal L3-5 finite element model was established. Based on the verification of its effectiveness, 2 different posterior internal fixation methods were simulated: bilateral pedicle screws (model A) were placed in the L3 and L5 vertebral bodies, and bilateral pedicle screws (model B) were placed in the L3, L4, and L5 vertebral bodies. The stability and stress differences of intervertebral discs, endplates, screws, and rods between models were compared.ResultsCompared with the normal model, the maximum stress of the range of motion, intervertebral disc, and endplate of the 2 models decreased significantly. Under the 6 working conditions, the 2 internal fixation methods have similar effects on the stress of the endplate and intervertebral disc, but the maximum stress of the screws and rods of model B is smaller than that of model A.ConclusionsBased on these results, it was found that bilateral pedicle screw fixation in 2 vertebrae L3 and L5 can achieve similar stability as bilateral pedicle screw fixation in 3 vertebrae L3, L4, and L5. However, the maximum stress of the screw and rod in model B is less than that in model A, so this internal fixation method can effectively reduce the risk of fracture. The 3-dimensional finite element model established in this study is in line with the biomechanical characteristics of the spine and can be used for further studies on spinal column biomechanics. This information can serve as a reference for clinicians for surgical selection.Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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