Three-dimensional finite element analysis of cervical spine biomechanical characteristics in a rat model of cervical vertigo

Liu Jiafu; Ren Ruxia; Liao Zhouwei; Zhou Xiali; Wu Yihong; Zhang Shaoqun

doi:10.12307/2026.126

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Cervical vertigo is one of the common types of vertigo.Previous studies have mostly simulated cervical vertigo by establishing a rat model of cervical instability,but the specific biomechanical mechanisms leading to cervical vertigo remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical instability model in cervical vertigo rats and reveal its pathogenic mechanisms. METHODS:Based on the three-dimensional CT data of the cervical spine from 8-week-old healthy rats,a normal three-dimensional geometric model of C2-C7(including vertebrae,intervertebral discs,and ligaments)was constructed using Mimics software.The cervical vertigo model was created by removing the supraspinous ligament,interspinous ligament,and facet joint cartilage at C5-6.Ansys software was used to analyze the overall stress distribution,overall displacement of the cervical spine,and stress changes in the C5-6 intervertebral disc under various conditions such as loading,flexion,extension,rotation,and lateral bending. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared to the normal group,the cervical vertigo group exhibited increased maximum total displacement of the cervical spine across all loading conditions,with the largest increments observed during rotation(left rotation:+84%;right rotation:+233%).(2)Except for flexion,the cervical vertigo group showed elevated maximum stress in the cervical spine under all other conditions,peaking during rotation(left rotation:+102%;right rotation:+165%).(3)The C5-6 intervertebral disc stress in the cervical vertigo group was significantly higher than in the normal group under all conditions,with the most pronounced increases during rotation(left rotation:+312%;right rotation:+323%).(4)It is concluded that current cervical vertigo modeling method effectively reduces cervical stability,leading to abnormal stress concentration across the cervical spine,particularly at the C5-6 intervertebral disc during rotation.This study not only provides critical biomechanical evidence supporting the reliability of the rat cervical vertigo model but also elucidates the potential pathogenesis of"cervical instability-abnormal cervical stress concentration-cervical vertigo episodes."