Abstract
PVAH is a mixture of solid and fluid, but its mechanical behavior has usually been described using solid material models. The purpose of this study was to obtain material properties that can reflect the mechanical behavior of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVAH) using finite element analysis, a biphasic continuum model, and to optimize the composition ratio of PVAH to replace the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the human intervertebral disc. Six types of PVAH specimens (3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 wt%) were prepared, then unconfined compression experiments were performed to acquire their material properties using the Holmes–Mow biphasic model. With an increasing weight percentage of PVA in PVAH, the Young’s modulus increased while the permeability parameter decreased. The Young’s modulus and permeability parameter were similar to those of the NP at 15 wt% and 20 wt%. The range of motion, facet joint force, and NP pressures measured from dynamic motional analysis of the lumbar segments with the NP model also exhibited similar values to those with 15~20 wt% PVAH models. Considering the structural stability and pain of the lumbar segments, it appears that 20 wt% PVAH is most suitable for replacing the NP.
Highlights
Low back pain is the most common disease in modern society
This study aims to optimize the composition ratio of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVAH) that can reflect the mechanical behavior of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and further reflect the range of motion (ROM) and facet joint forces (FJFs) of the L1–L2 to L4–L5 segments for flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial torsion, replaced by PVAH
These results suggest that the normal lumbar spine finite element (FE) model proposed in this study reflects the physiological characteristics of the human lumbar spine, which makes it suitable for use in biomechanical analysis
Summary
Low back pain is the most common disease in modern society. Degenerative intervertebral discs (IVDs) account for more than 75% of the causes of low back pain [1]. The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the IVD applies intradiscal pressure to the annulus fibrosus (AF) [2]. NP replacement can reduce pain while restoring spine mobility and delay IVD degeneration [6,7,8,9,10,11]. This treatment has the advantage of preserving AF with minimally invasive surgery
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