Abstract
Musculoskeletal models provide a valuable insight to non-invasively investigate the relation between human motion and internal biomechanical loads. Through an inverse dynamic approach, this modeling technique allows to compute the intersegmental forces acting during the execution of imposed specific body motion and under the action of known external loads. When focusing on the characterization of human spine, musculoskeletal modeling can be accounted to evaluate lumbar loads during physiological activities (e.g. training, ergonomics and rehabilitation) and pathological scenarios (e.g. spine deformities and surgical fixation strategies). The results of the present work demonstrated the suitability of the AnyBody model in computing lumbar spine loads at L4L5 level. Specific caution needs to be taken only when considering postures characterized bylarge lateral displacements or high lateral loading. The present findings promote the AnyBody model as an appropriate tool to non-invasively evaluate lumbar loads in physiological activities. Future studies can be aimed at evaluating the use of AnyBody modeling in pathological conditions known altering spine alignment, such as spine deformities and fixation strategies.
Highlights
Positive agreement between the calculated values and the in vivo measurements was generally confirmed during all tasks (Fig.2)
The pressure values calculated with correction factor (CF) resulted from 0.1 to 0.2 MPa higher than those computed with quadratic equation (QE)
When assessing the relationship between disc pressure and body motion angles, comparable values were exhibited during flexion-extension and axial rotation, whereas differences were found in lateral bending when the angle between the thoracolumbar junction end the pelvis exceeded ±15° (Fig.3)
Summary
Musculoskeletal models provide a valuable insight to non-invasively investigate the relation between human motion and internal biomechanical loads. Through an inverse dynamic approach, this modeling technique allows to compute the intersegmental forces acting during the execution of imposed specific body motion and under the action of known external loads. When focusing on the characterization of human spine, musculoskeletal modeling can be accounted to evaluate lumbar loads during physiological activities (e.g. training, ergonomics and rehabilitation) and pathological scenarios (e.g. spine deformities and surgical fixation strategies). When exploited to predict lumbar loads, the previous works aimed at validating model suitability held several limitations [1-3] and a comprehensive validation is to be considered as lacking. The present study was aimed at validating the suitability of the AnyBody model in computing lumbar loads at L4L5 level in physiological conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
