Objective
The biomechanical property of vertebroplasty has been investigated by experimental study with its own limitation. In addition, previous works with finite element analysis show many drawbacks in their simplified models geometry of vertebral body and with material properties of bone. This study is to provide the optimal distribution of bone cement to restore strength and stiffness of damaged bone after vertebroplasty using the three dimensional finite element analysis.
Materials and Methods: The finite element modeling of the T12 vertebral body was generated using MEDISURF, IMAGEWARE SURFACER and I-deas softwares. They were classified into two models by location of bone cements. One mode had a bone cement located at center of vertebral body and another one located at both sides. After the specimens were loaded in uniaxial compression and analyzed by ABAQUS software, the results were compared to normal and osteoporotic patients' models.
Results
The displacement of vertebral body of patient was 0.33mm, compared to 0.15mm for vertebral body with central located bone cement and 0.24mm for both-side located one. Less compressive stress on central located model than both-sided located one was also revealed by finite element analysis.
Conclusion
The finite element analysis enabled parameters such as cement volume and distribution to be controlled in a manner that would not be possible with experimental or animal models and model itself was highly anatomically detailed, with geometric and material properties derived from CT scan. And, this biomechanical study showed that a single central distribution of bone cement might be more effective than bilateral one.
