Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis
Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is a standard treatment for spinal instability, yet postoperative subsidence and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) remain critical challenges. This study evaluates the biomechanical efficacy of personalized porous fusion cages—featuring Gyroid (G-Cage) and Voronoi (V-...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Chenkai Zhu Kan Deng Zhenzong Shao Yong Wang |
| author_facet | Chenkai Zhu Kan Deng Zhenzong Shao Yong Wang |
| author_sort | Chenkai Zhu |
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| description | Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is a standard treatment for spinal instability, yet postoperative subsidence and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) remain critical challenges. This study evaluates the biomechanical efficacy of personalized porous fusion cages—featuring Gyroid (G-Cage) and Voronoi (V-Cage) architectures—against classic (C-Cage) and personalized (P-Cage) designs, aiming to enhance stability and mitigate subsidence risks. A finite element model of the L3–L4 segment, derived from CT scans of a healthy male volunteer, was developed to simulate six motion modes (compression, rotation, flexion, extension, and left/right bending). Biomechanical parameters, including range of motion (ROM), cage stress, endplate stress, and displacement, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the V-Cage exhibited superior performance, reducing ROM by 51% in extension, cage stress by 41.7% in compression, and endplate stress by 63.7% in right bending compared to the C-Cage. The porous designs (G-Cage, V-Cage) exhibited biomimetic stress distribution and minimized micromotion, which was attributed to their trabecular-like architectures. These findings highlight the Voronoi-based porous cage as a biomechanically optimized solution, offering enhanced stability and reduced subsidence risk when compared to classic implants. The study underscores the potential of patient-specific porous designs in advancing LIF outcomes, warranting further clinical validation to translate computational insights into practical applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f3b8b154d144efd9fc657726bbc8dec |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2f3b8b154d144efd9fc657726bbc8dec2025-08-20T01:56:20ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011510538410.3390/app15105384Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element AnalysisChenkai Zhu0Kan Deng1Zhenzong Shao2Yong Wang3Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, 399 Kangda Road, Ningbo 315832, ChinaNingbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, 399 Kangda Road, Ningbo 315832, ChinaNingbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, 399 Kangda Road, Ningbo 315832, ChinaNingbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, 399 Kangda Road, Ningbo 315832, ChinaLumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is a standard treatment for spinal instability, yet postoperative subsidence and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) remain critical challenges. This study evaluates the biomechanical efficacy of personalized porous fusion cages—featuring Gyroid (G-Cage) and Voronoi (V-Cage) architectures—against classic (C-Cage) and personalized (P-Cage) designs, aiming to enhance stability and mitigate subsidence risks. A finite element model of the L3–L4 segment, derived from CT scans of a healthy male volunteer, was developed to simulate six motion modes (compression, rotation, flexion, extension, and left/right bending). Biomechanical parameters, including range of motion (ROM), cage stress, endplate stress, and displacement, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the V-Cage exhibited superior performance, reducing ROM by 51% in extension, cage stress by 41.7% in compression, and endplate stress by 63.7% in right bending compared to the C-Cage. The porous designs (G-Cage, V-Cage) exhibited biomimetic stress distribution and minimized micromotion, which was attributed to their trabecular-like architectures. These findings highlight the Voronoi-based porous cage as a biomechanically optimized solution, offering enhanced stability and reduced subsidence risk when compared to classic implants. The study underscores the potential of patient-specific porous designs in advancing LIF outcomes, warranting further clinical validation to translate computational insights into practical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5384lumbar interbody fusionfinite element analysisVoronoi porous structuresubsidence riskadjacent segment degeneration |
| spellingShingle | Chenkai Zhu Kan Deng Zhenzong Shao Yong Wang Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis Applied Sciences lumbar interbody fusion finite element analysis Voronoi porous structure subsidence risk adjacent segment degeneration |
| title | Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis |
| title_full | Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis |
| title_short | Biomechanical Optimization of Lumbar Fusion Cages with a Porous Design: A Finite Element Analysis |
| title_sort | biomechanical optimization of lumbar fusion cages with a porous design a finite element analysis |
| topic | lumbar interbody fusion finite element analysis Voronoi porous structure subsidence risk adjacent segment degeneration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5384 |
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