The significance of non-uniform anatomic geometry on diffusion to the intervertebral disc

Low back pain is a prevalent medical condition in the United States population. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is associated with low back pain. The intervertebral disc is avascular and thus must receive nutrients via diffusion, primarily from the vertebral bodies through the endplates. One proposed mechanism for development of degeneration is through the sclerosis of the endplates and diminished diffusion. In this study, we utilized a finite element analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of multiple physiologic parameters that regulate diffusion in order to establish which have the most significant effects. Data from our model indicate that nonuniformitiy of endplate characteristics was the most significant parameter. Thus, models that assume symmetry or uniform geometry are inducing artifacts and future models should strive to use 3D patient specific data.