Three-dimensional computed tomography morphometric analysis of lumbar endplates in Chinese young adults

Category	Detail
Condition	Lumbar endplate morphology in young adults
Key Mechanisms	3D CT-based measurement of lumbar endplate shape and concavity to inform intervertebral fusion device design
Target Population	Healthy young Chinese adults aged 18–45 years
Care Setting	Outpatient imaging and surgical planning for lumbar interbody fusion

Sagittal plane morphology of lower lumbar endplates is mostly concave; S1 endplate is mostly flat.
Coronal plane endplates are mostly symmetrically distributed with fewer asymmetric types.
No significant sex differences in lumbar endplate morphology or concavity depth.

Use high-resolution 3D CT imaging for detailed lumbar endplate morphology assessment.
Exclude patients with spinal deformities, fractures, tumors, or poor image quality for accurate analysis.

Select intervertebral fusion devices that match the anatomical curvature of lumbar endplates to optimize load distribution.
Consider endplate morphology to reduce postoperative complications such as device settlement and displacement.

Monitor postoperative outcomes for signs of device subsidence or displacement related to endplate-device mismatch.

Mismatch between fusion device and endplate morphology may cause stress concentration, leading to device displacement, subsidence, or pseudarthrosis.

Young adults with healthy lumbar spines undergoing lumbar interbody fusion

Precise matching of fusion device surface curvature to endplate morphology can improve biomechanical stability and fusion success.

Perform detailed morphometric analysis of lumbar endplates using 3D CT reconstructions before device selection.
Design or select intervertebral cages that conform to the predominant concave sagittal morphology of L4-L5 endplates and flat morphology of S1.
Account for symmetrical coronal plane morphology to optimize device fit and load distribution.
Recognize that sex does not significantly affect endplate morphology, simplifying device design considerations.

Clinical Scorecard: Morphometric Evaluation of Lumbar Endplates in Young Chinese Adults Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography