Finite element study of lumbar section before and after disc arthroplasty with disc implant (SB Charite III) in comparison to PEEK twin peaks lumbar cage

Nowadays, primary disc degeneration and herniation are treated with total disc replacement. Arthroplasty of degenerated intervertebral disc is alternative to arthrodesis. A successful total disc arthroplasty requires estimating biomechanical behaviors of lumbar section after disc replacement. To achieve an acceptable range of motion for lumbar section, optimum design of intervertebral disc had to be considered. 3D model of an L3-L4 section, based on CT images, was developed using MIMICS software, then the model analyzed by ABAQUS software. In order to show effectiveness of SB ChariteIII behavior, other two model´s considering disc fusion and lumbar with intact disc were created. Two disc implants were modelled and assembled with the vertebral segment to simulate disc arthroplasty. Another model with an intact disc was also analyzed for comparison. In this study, design of SB Charitelll with polyethylene core has been used and mechanical behavior of a lumbar vertebral was analyzed. Effects of clinically approved disc implant investigated in comparison to the Intervertébral cage one.