
Computational modelling of spinal implants 467
spine morphologies. Truly, few geometrical parameter variations have been
shown to signi cantly affect the prediction outcomes, that is, in uenc-
ing parameters are typically the disc height, the lordosis angle, and both
the surface and the position/orientation of the facets (Meijer et al ., 2011;
Niemeyer et al ., 2012). Nevertheless, the simulations performed so far have
been based on relatively simple changes to the healthy spine and/or generic
geometries, and do not account for the complex shape variations that can
occur, especially as degeneration progresses (Fig. 15.5). Thus, the combi- ...