Abstract:Objective To study the effect of vibration environments on patients with posterior lumbar interbody fusion in daily life. Methods Finite element models of an intact lumbar spine and a postoperative model with fixed L4-5 segments were established. Subsequently, a 40-kg mass point was applied to the upper end plate of the L1 segment to perform a modal analysis. Results In comparison with an intact lumbar spine, the resonance frequency for each order of the whole lumbar spine was reduced after posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and the primary movement of the corresponding modes were also changed. The first two inherent frequencies of the modal in the fusion model were 2.94 Hz and 3.81 Hz, which were close to the vibration frequencies in daily life. In the first three order vibrations, the mode amplitudes of the posterior elements for the L2 and L3 segments increased in the fusion model, which could increase the risk of postoperative degeneration at such locations. In addition, the vibration amplitude of the intervertebral disc of the L3-4 segments clearly increased, particularly at the part of the disc near the L3 vertebral body, which could lead to increased stress and strain and further accelerate its degeneration. Conclusion sBased on the modal analysis of a lumbar spine after posterior lumbar interbody fusion, the investigation of the vibration characteristics of the postoperative lumbar spine will provide some theoretical guidance for the recovery and healthy life of the patients after the corresponding surgery.