Analysis of stress distribution in lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: A 2-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model of an intervertebral segment was used to investigate the stress patterns in the adjacent vertebrae of fused spinal segment incorporating 4 common cage designs. The same was used to study the effect of maturation of bone graft on stress distribution pattern.

Objectives: To study and compare the stress distribution patterns in a normal spinal segment and in the adjacent vertebrae of a fused spinal segment.