Method and verification of three-dimensional finite element modeling for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

Liang Long; Liu Guangwei; Yu Jie; Wei Xu; Li Jing; Lu Guangqi; Zhu Liguo; Yin Xunlu; Feng Minshan

doi:10.12307/2025.954

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Currently,finite element model studies involving cervical spondylotic radiculopathy either directly use normal human imaging data to construct the model,or use imaging data of a patient with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy to construct the model,which lacks simulation and representativeness. OBJECTIVE:To explore the simulation performance of the three-dimensional finite element model of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,so as to provide references for the later research on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and even spinal degenerative diseases. METHODS:First,CT was used to scan the cervical spine of a normal person.Through multiple software,geometric reconstruction,reverse engineering,meshing,material assignment and other processes were carried out to construct a complete three-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine including vertebrae(C0-T1),intervertebral discs(C2-C7),ligaments,articular cartilages,muscles and other structures,and verify the model.Then,a model was created for intervertebral disc degeneration to simulate the occurrence and development process of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Finally,verification was carried out by measuring the height of the intervertebral space,the size of the transverse and longitudinal diameters of the intervertebral foramen and their change amplitudes under different loading conditions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After the successful construction of the three-dimensional finite element model of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,except that the transverse diameter of the intervertebral foramen did not change,the height of the intervertebral space and the longitudinal diameter of the intervertebral foramen gradually decreased from moderate to severe intervertebral disc degeneration.(2)The dynamic verification results showed that after applying different loading conditions,in the three-dimensional finite element models of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with moderate and severe intervertebral disc degeneration,the change amplitudes of the height of the intervertebral space and the transverse and longitudinal diameters of the intervertebral foramen decreased,indicating that the volume of the intervertebral foramen and the ability to accommodate nerve roots decreased.(3)Therefore,the finite element model of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy constructed in this study conforms to the pathogenesis characteristics of this disease.