Effects of charité artificial disc on the implanted and adjacent spinal segments mechanics using a hybrid testing protocol.

Study Design: Finite element model of L3-S1 segment and confirmatory cadaveric testing were used to investigate the biomechanical effects of a mobile core type artificial disc (Charité artificial disc; DePuy Spine, Raynham, MA) on the lumbar spine.

Objective: To determine the effects of the Charité artificial disc across the implanted and adjacent segments.

Summary Of Background Data: Biomechanical studies of artificial discs that quantify parameters, like the load sharing and stresses, are sparse in the literature, especially for mobile-type core artificial disc designs.