Subsidence of a partially porous titanium lumbar cage produced by electron beam melting technology

The lumbar intervertebral devices are widely used in the surgical treatment of lumbar diseases. The subsidence represents a serious clinical issue during the healing process, mainly when the interfaces between the implant and the vertebral bodies are not well designed. The aim of this study is the evaluation of subsidence risk for two different devices. The devices have the same shape, but one of them includes a filling micro lattice structure. The effect of the micro lattice structure on the subsidence behavior of the implant was evaluated by means of both experimental tests and finite element analyses. Compressive tests were carried out by using blocks made of grade 15 polyurethane, which simulate the vertebral bone. Non-linear, quasi-static finite element analyses were performed to simulate experimental and physiologic conditions. The experimental tests and the FE analyses showed that the subsidence risk is higher for the device without micro lattice structure, due to the smaller contact surface. Moreover, an overload in the central zone of the contact surface was detected in the same device and it could cause the implant failure. Thus, the micro lattice structure allows a homogenous pressure distribution at the implant–bone interface.