3D modeling of human spine and the cobb angle measurement in scoliosis patients

Abstract

Scoliosis is a disease caused by the abnormal curvature of spine. Generally, curvature above 10 degrees is considered as a scoliosis. About 2-4% of the world population is affected by this disease. Therefore, there is a need for such a tool that can help surgeons and bioengineers to study the behavior of a spine under various conditions. Considering the engineering perspectives, it is necessary to understand the fundamental anatomy of the human spine and pathological techniques associated with the orthopedic conditions, so that better technologies can be implemented. The main objective of this work is to develop a 3D model that can simulate various orthopedic conditions associated with the change in Cobb angle. CT scans of patients are obtained from the Spine center of G. hospital, Lahore. 3D Models of actual patients are created using 3D Slicer and Radiant software. Only spine portions are extracted to understand the type of scoliosis, curvature region, and Cobb angles. The cobb angle of each of the patients is measured using Solid Works software. Considering the real data of patients, the severity level of scoliosis in the patients is discussed. Keywords: anthropometry; Cobb angles; CT scans; scoliosis; Spine deformity; vertebra.