A study of cervical spine morphology variation influence in loading and range of motions using finite element analysis

Abstract

The most commonly found disease in aged people which can be dangerous and which affects the condition of an individual’s life is disc degenerative disease. The shift in the anterior load-bearing column was caused by the disc height changes in posterior side which could have adverse effects on posterior column. The lack of symptoms at early stages makes the identification of disc degenerative disease difficult but once identified, the treatment actions should be taken at right time. Biomechanical literature gives a static morphology of the FE models of cervical spine. An upcoming tendency in the current day medical practice is the use of personalized medicines and the predicting capabilities of this trend gets affected by not taking into account morphology as a model parameter. Finite element analysis is used to find the effect of variations in morphology of spine, intervertebral disc height, slope of facet joint, process height of articular facet joint and segment size was parametrized. Finite element study was done on vertebral rotation variations and ligamental forces. Some of the most important morphological variations found in the anatomy were disc segmental size & height and body depth. The estimation of ROM and calculation of impact loads were found to be the key elements in the examination of degeneration of discs. Nonetheless there are risks involved in the extensive use of instruments for direct measurement of range of motion. Fem models of the lower cervical spine are derived from a CT scan with dissimilar elements and then quality of these models is evaluated with the help of mesh element-related metrics. The range of motion values are then compared with the literature studies and the model with good mesh standard are used for future examination process. The individual components of spine are subjected to different types of loading situations and the stresses developed on them need to studied. The results gained from the finite element model helps us to plot stresses of subjects obtained from the respective lifestyles can benefit surgeons to suggest treatment actions.