Spine Implants – Materials and Mechanics

A special issue of Prosthesis (ISSN 2673-1592).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 4211

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
2. ESTSetúbal, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 2914-761 Setúbal, Portugal
Interests: biomechanics; biomedical engineering; tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Spine diseases related to the degeneration of bone and soft tissues are a serious source of disability worldwide as they affect a large portion of the population. This results in high care costs for therapy and treatment, especially in Western societies. As such, spine diseases are among the major reasons for work absenteeism and decreases in productivity. The high frequency of these conditions can be explained by the ageing of the population and the prominence of sedentary lifestyles. Intervertebral disc degeneration or ligament hypertrophy, which in the most severe cases can greatly impact people’s quality of life, are among the known risk factors.

This Special Issue deals with the research on implants targeting spine diseases, from intervertebral fusion strategies to disc arthroplasty. This Special Issue is dedicated to the research on the mechanics of these implants and the application of innovative materials/solutions, including in vitro, ex vivo, in silico, and in vivo studies.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: lumbar fusion cages, cervical fusion cages, spinal fixation systems, artificial discs, finite-element modelling of the spine (native vs. degenerated vs. implanted spine), dynamic modelling of the spine (movement with implant vs. movement without implant), and follow-up studies on implanted spines.

Dr. André P. G. Castro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Prosthesis is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • spine
  • intervertebral disc
  • vertebrae
  • lumbar fusion
  • cervical fusion
  • disc arthroplasty
  • spinal fixation

Published Papers (4 papers)

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14 pages, 1932 KiB  
Article
MES-FES Interface Enhances Quadriceps Muscle Response in Sitting Position in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot Study
by Denise Bolonhezi Ribeiro, Larissa Gomes Sartori, María Verónica González Méndez, Roger Burgo de Souza, Daniel Prado Campos, Paulo Broniera Júnior, José J. A. Mendes Junior and Eddy Krueger
Prosthesis 2024, 6(3), 643-656; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6030045 - 11 Jun 2024
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Purpose: In incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a partial decrease in motor or sensory or autonomic function. Mainly due to the motor impairment in SCI, a muscle–machine interface is a tool that can bring functional benefits to this population. Objective: To [...] Read more.
Purpose: In incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a partial decrease in motor or sensory or autonomic function. Mainly due to the motor impairment in SCI, a muscle–machine interface is a tool that can bring functional benefits to this population. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of the non-invasive myoelectric signal–functional electrical stimulation (MES-FES) interface on the response of the quadriceps muscle in an individual with incomplete SCI. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental, uncontrolled, longitudinal case report study carried out with an individual with incomplete SCI in the chronic phase. The assessments performed before (pre) and after eight (post8) interventions were neuromuscular assessment (surface electromyography (EMG) in rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles); muscle strength (load cell); knee extension range of motion (goniometry); spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale); and quality of life (Spinal Cord Injury Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SCI-QoL.Br)). The MES-FES interface was associated with physical therapy exercises on the extension knee joint muscle group. Results: Improvement in neuromuscular activation (normalized increase in EMGRMS of 2% (RF) and 3.3% (VL)) and synchronism of the motor units (normalized reduction in EMGMDF of 22.8% (RF) and 5.9% (VL)); 1.4 kgf increase in quadriceps strength; 10.6° increase in knee joint extension amplitude; 1 point spasticity reduction; improved quality of life, confirmed by a 12-point reduction in the SCI-QoL.Br score. Moreover, along with interventions, the participant increased the correct FES activation rate, indicating a user learning curve (ρ = 0.78, p-value = 0.04). Conclusions: The MES-FES interface associated with physical therapy promotes neuromuscular and quality of life improvements in the SCI participant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spine Implants – Materials and Mechanics)
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13 pages, 3391 KiB  
Article
Numerical Assessment of Interspinous Spacers for Lumbar Spine
by Marcial Francisco Hernández-Ortega, Christopher René Torres-SanMiguel, Elliot Alonso Alcántara-Arreola, Juan Carlos Paredes-Rojas, Ohtokani Cabrera-Rodríguez and Guillermo Manuel Urriolagoitia-Calderón
Prosthesis 2023, 5(3), 939-951; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5030065 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
Interspinous spacers are a minimally invasive surgical device for treating degenerative lumbar diseases, limiting spinal extension, and decreasing pressures within the disc and facets, relieving symptoms caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. This work uses the finite element method to calculate the stresses and [...] Read more.
Interspinous spacers are a minimally invasive surgical device for treating degenerative lumbar diseases, limiting spinal extension, and decreasing pressures within the disc and facets, relieving symptoms caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. This work uses the finite element method to calculate the stresses and deformations of an interspinous spacer with steel wire clam**. The cables also provide an easier way to set up the device. The reconstruction of the model was undertaken by computerized tomography, considering a person with average Mexican height (1.64 m) and a mass index grade of 2 (108 kg). The maximum movements reported in the literature were used for the range of motion. The interspinous spacer increases in a ratio of 2.7 times the stresses. Still, these stresses are generated in the prosthesis, which causes the vertebrae to be relieved since the forces and pressures are reduced. Deformations decrease by 53% with the reduction of the range of motion. Therefore, the prosthesis provides excellent stability for the vertebrae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spine Implants – Materials and Mechanics)
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11 pages, 1618 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Interbody Device Design and Placement on Lumbar Lordosis and Disc Height in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
by Ian J. Wellington, Caroline R. Kaufman, Christopher L. Antonacci, Ergin Coskun, Mark P. Cote, Hardeep Singh, Scott S. Mallozzi and Isaac L. Moss
Prosthesis 2023, 5(3), 752-762; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5030053 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1355
Abstract
There are a wide variety of interbody devices available for use in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). While traditionally these interbodies are bullet-shaped, crescent-shaped cages have become increasingly common. There is a paucity of literature comparing the effect of cage geometry with substratification [...] Read more.
There are a wide variety of interbody devices available for use in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). While traditionally these interbodies are bullet-shaped, crescent-shaped cages have become increasingly common. There is a paucity of literature comparing the effect of cage geometry with substratification for surgical approach (minimally invasive (MIS) vs. open). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of implant geometry, positioning, and surgical approach on the correction of different spinal alignment parameters in patients undergoing TLIF. A retrospective chart and imaging review was performed on 103 patients with a total of 131 instrumented segments performed by a single surgeon. Preoperative, initial postoperative, and final postoperative standing lateral lumbar radiographs were evaluated for lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lordosis (SL), anterior disc height (ADH), and posterior disc height (PDH). Anterior-posterior implant positioning was recorded for initial and final postoperative radiographs. These measurements were compared among four groups: open bullet (OB), MIS bullet (MB), open crescent (OC), and MIS crescent (MC). SL increased in all groups by a mean of 2.9° at initial imaging and 2.2° at final imaging. The OC group had greater initial improvement in SL compared to the MB group (p = 0.02), though this effect was lost at final follow-up (p = 0.11). The OB and OC groups conferred greater initial improvement in ADH (p = 0.02; p = 0.04), while the OC group had greater final improvement in ADH compared to the MB and MC groups (p = 0.01; p = 0.01). The OC group had less initial improvement in PDH compared with the other groups (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, p < 0.01). The MB group provided greater final improvement in PDH compared with the MC and OC groups (p = 0.04, p = 0.01). Cage geometry, surgical approach, and implant position all demonstrated a statistically significant but clinically minor impact on segmental alignment for TLIF procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spine Implants – Materials and Mechanics)
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14 pages, 935 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Surgeon Experience on Surgical Parameters and Complication Rates for the Surgical Management of Adult Spinal Deformities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Albert T. Anastasio, Anthony N. Baumann, Megan E. Callaghan, Kempland C. Walley, Davin C. Gong, Grayson M. Talaski, Keegan T. Conry, Cole Shafer and Jacob C. Hoffmann
Prosthesis 2024, 6(3), 582-595; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6030041 - 4 Jun 2024
Viewed by 287
Abstract
The surgical management of adult spinal deformities (ASDs) involves a wide variety of complex and technically challenging operative techniques. Despite numerous publications examining the relationship between surgeon experience and outcomes in ASD, no systematic review or meta-analysis exists. This first-time systematic review and [...] Read more.
The surgical management of adult spinal deformities (ASDs) involves a wide variety of complex and technically challenging operative techniques. Despite numerous publications examining the relationship between surgeon experience and outcomes in ASD, no systematic review or meta-analysis exists. This first-time systematic review and meta-analysis examines the impact of surgeon experience on the surgical parameters and complication rates for the surgical management of ASD. Four databases were used for the initial search of this study from database inception until 22 September 2023. The inclusion criteria required articles that examined the outcomes for surgery for ASD, stratified outcomes by surgeon experience and/or the learning curve as a proxy for surgeon experience, and utilized adult patients (>18 years of age). Seven articles met the criteria for final inclusion. Patients in the Experienced Surgeon group had statistically significantly lower levels of EBL with no significant difference in operative time after surgery for ASD compared to patients in the Inexperienced Surgeon group via a meta-analysis of three articles. Patients in the Experienced Surgeon group had a statistically significantly lower total complication rate compared to patients in the Inexperienced Surgeon group via a meta-analysis. Increased surgeon experience resulted in lower levels of EBL, without a significant difference in the operative time after surgery for ASD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spine Implants – Materials and Mechanics)
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