An FEM Technique to Determine the Mechanical Response of a Lumbar Spine Segment Under Complex Loads

Section: Original Research

Authors: Alexander Tsouknidas,^a Nikoalos Michailidis,^b Savvas Savvakis,^c Kleovoulos Anagnostidis,^d Konstantinos-Dionysios Bouzakis,^a and Georgios Kapetanos^d

Affiliations: ^aLaboratory for Machine Tools and Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Greece; ^bPhysical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Greece; ^cLaboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Mechanical Engineering Department,  Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Greece; ^dThird Orthopaedic Department “Papageorgiou” General Hospital, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Abstract:
This study presents a CT-based finite element model of the lumbar spine taking into account all function related boundary conditions such as anisotropy of mechanical properties, ligaments, contact elements mesh size etc. Through advanced mesh generation and employment of compound-elements, the developed model is capable of assessing the mechanical response of the examined spine segment for complex loading conditions, thus providing valuable insight on the stress development within the model and allowing the prediction of critical loading scenarios. The model was validated through a comparison of the calculated force induced inclination - deformation and a correlation of these data to experimental values. The mechanical response of the examined functional spine segment (FSU) was evaluated and the effect of the loading scenario determined for both vertebral bodies as well as the connecting intervertebral disc.

Keywords: Biomechanical Response, Cadaveric experiments, Spine segment inclination