Based on the application of finite element analysis in spine biomechanics, the research progress of finite element method applied in lumbar spine mechanics is reviewed and the prospect is forecasted. The related works, including lumbar ontology modeling, clinical application research, and occupational injury and protection, are summarized. The main research areas of finite element method are as follows: new accurate modeling process, the optimized simulation method, diversified clinical effect evaluation, and the clinical application of artificial lumbar disc. According to the recent research progress, the application prospects of finite element method, such as automation and individuation of modeling process, evaluation and analysis of new operation methods and simulation of mechanical damage and dynamic response, are discussed. The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical reference and practical guidance for the clinical lumbar problems by reviewing the application of finite element method in the field of the lumbar spine biomechanics.
Total lumbar disc replacement is an alternative to interbody fusion for the effective treatment of symptomatic degenerative disc disease. This paper reviewed the history of ball-on-socket type artificial lumbar disc (ALD) prosthesis, which is a typical ALD prosthesis and summarized the ALD prosthesis research progress, according to different materials such as metal-on-metal, metal-on-polymer, and polymer-on-polymer prosthesis. The structural design factors of ball-on-socket type ALD prosthesis were analyzed and its prospect of development was also presented. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical reference for the design of the ball-on-socket ALD prosthesis by reviewing the current state of ball-on-socket type ALD prosthesis.