Computer simulation of lumbar flexion shows shear of the facet capsular ligament

Amy A. Claeson, Victor H. Barocas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Context The lumbar facet capsular ligament (FCL) is a posterior spinal ligament with a complex structure and kinematic profile. The FCL has a curved geometry, multiple attachment sites, and preferentially aligned collagen fiber bundles on the posterior surface that are innervated with mechanoreceptive nerve endings. Spinal flexion induces three-dimensional (3D) deformations, requiring the FCL to maintain significant tensile and shear loads. Previous works aimed to study 3D facet joint kinematics during flexion, but to our knowledge none have reported localized FCL surface deformations likely created by this complex structure. Purpose The purpose of this study was to elucidate local deformations of both the posterior and anterior surfaces of the lumbar FCL to understand the distribution and magnitude of in-plane and through-plane deformations, including the prevalence of shear. Study Design/Setting The FCL anterior and posterior surface deformations were quantified through creation of a finite element model simulating facet joint flexion using a realistic geometry, physiological kinematics, and fitted constitutive material. Methods Geometry was obtained from the micro-CT data of a healthy L3–L4 facet joint capsule (n=1); kinematics were extracted from sagittal plane fluoroscopic data of healthy volunteers (n=10) performing flexion; and average material properties were determined from planar biaxial extension tests of L4–L5 FCLs (n=6). All analyses were performed with the non-linear finite element solver, FEBio. A grid of equally spaced 3×3 nodes on the posterior surface identified regional differences within the strain fields and was used to create comparisons against previously published experimental data. This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the authors have no disclosures. Results Inhomogeneous in-plane and through-plane shear deformations were prominent through the middle body of the FCL on both surfaces. Anterior surface deformations were more pronounced because of the small width of the joint space, whereas posterior surface deformations were more diffuse because the larger area increased deformability. We speculate these areas of large deformation may provide this proprioceptive system with an excellent measure of spinal motion. Conclusions We found that in-plane and through-plane shear deformations are widely present in finite element simulations of a lumbar FCL during flexion. Importantly, we conclude that future studies of the FCL must consider the effects of both shear and tensile deformations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)109-119
Number of pages11
JournalSpine Journal
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health ( T32 AR050938 and U01 EB016638 ). We thank Dr Alex Fok at the University of Minnesota Dental School for the use of the micro-CT. Additionally, the assistance of the FEBio staff is gratefully acknowledged.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Deformation
  • FEBio
  • Finite element
  • Kinematics
  • Mechanics
  • Modeling
  • Motion segment
  • Spine
  • Zygapophyseal joint

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Computer simulation of lumbar flexion shows shear of the facet capsular ligament'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this