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The effect of follower load on the range of motion, facet joint force, and intradiscal pressure of the cervical spine: a finite element study

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Abstract

Follower loads are used to simulate physiological compressive loads on the human spine. These compressive loads represent the load-carrying capacity of the human cervical spine and play an important role in maintaining its stability. However, under different follower loads the biomechanical response of the cervical spine is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of follower load on the biomechanics of the cervical spine. A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model of the cervical spine (C3–C7) was developed and validated. Using this FE model, we evaluated the effect of different follower loads (0 N, 50 N, 100 N, and 150 N) on the range of motion (ROM), facet joint forces (FJFs), and intradiscal pressure (IDP) in the cervical spine. In addition, a moment of 1 Nm was applied in three anatomical planes (sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes) to simulate different postures. The results indicate that as follower load was increased, the ROM of the cervical spine in extension decreased (4.06°–0.95°), but increased in other postures (flexion 4.19°–6.04°, lateral bending 1.74–3.03°, axial rotation 2.64°–4.11°). Follower loads increased the FJF in all postures (0 N–52 N). In lateral bending (LB), FJFs were only generated in the ipsilateral facet joints. In axial rotation (AR), there was large asymmetry in the FJF, which increased as follower load increased. The IDP of each segment increased nonlinearly with increasing follower load in all postures (0.01 MPa–1.23 MPa). In summary, follower loads caused changes in motion and loading patterns in the cervical spine (C3–C7). Therefore, in common daily activities, we should pay attention to the muscle strength of the neck through exercise to adapt to the biomechanical changes in the cervical spine following an increase in follower load.

Follower load is defined as the compressive load directed approximately along the axis of the spine. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of the follower compressive load on biomechanics of the cervical spine. To do so, a three-dimensional nonlinear FE model of the cervical spine (C3-C7) was built and validated. Using this FE model of the cervical spine, we evaluated the effect of different follower loads (0 N, 50 N, 100 N, 150 N) on range of motion, facet joint force, and IDP in the cervical spine. In this study, the follower load was applied to the finite element model by connector elements. At the same time, a moment of 1 Nm was applied in the three anatomical planes to simulate different postures.

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Abbreviations

FE:

Finite element

ROM:

Range of motion

FJFs:

Facet joint forces

IDP:

Intradiscal pressure

CT:

Computed tomography

ALL:

Anterior longitudinal ligament

PLL:

Posterior longitudinal ligament

LF:

Ligamentum flavum

CL:

Capsular ligament

ISL:

Interspinous ligament

LB:

Lateral bending

AR:

Axial rotation

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this work was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC Nos. 11432016, 11602172, and 11602063) and Sichuan Science and Technology Program (No. 2018SZ0036).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China

    Xin-Yi Cai, Chen-Xi YuChi & Cheng-Fei Du

  2. National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China

    Xin-Yi Cai, Chen-Xi YuChi & Cheng-Fei Du

  3. Beijing Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technical Aids for Old-Age Disability, Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technical Aids Technology and System of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, National Research Centre for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing,, 100176, China

    Zhong-Jun Mo

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  1. Xin-Yi Cai
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Contributions

CXY and YCCX carried out the model development and simulation, data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. DCF participated in the study design. DCF and MZJ participated in revising the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Cheng-Fei Du or Zhong-Jun Mo.

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Cai, XY., YuChi, CX., Du, CF. et al. The effect of follower load on the range of motion, facet joint force, and intradiscal pressure of the cervical spine: a finite element study. Med Biol Eng Comput 58, 1695–1705 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-020-02189-7

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