Biomechanical differences of Coflex-F and pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF or ALIF--a finite element study

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2011 Nov;14(11):947-56. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2010.501762. Epub 2011 May 24.

Abstract

Lumbar interbody fusion is a common procedure for treating lower back pain related to degenerative disc diseases. The Coflex-F is a recently developed interspinous spacer, the makers of which claim that it can provide stabilisation similar to pedicle screw fixation. Therefore, this study compares the biomechanical behaviour of the Coflex-F device and pedicle screw fixation with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) or anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgeries by using finite element analysis. The results show that the Coflex-F device combined with ALIF surgery can provide stability similar to the pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF or ALIF surgery. Also, the posterior instrumentations (Coflex-F and pedicle screw fixation) combined with TLIF surgery had lower stability than when combined with ALIF surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Screws*
  • Finite Element Analysis*
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / surgery
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Spinal Fusion