Abstract
A large spectrum of medical devices exists; it aims to correct deformities associated with spinal disorders. The development of a detailed volumetric finite element model of the osteoligamentous spine would serve as a valuable tool to assess, compare, and optimize spinal devices. Thus the purpose of the study was to develop and initiate validation of a detailed osteoligamentous finite element model of the spine with simulated correction from spinal instrumentation. A finite element of the spine from T1 to L5 was developed using properties and geometry from the published literature and patient data. Spinal instrumentation, consisting of segmental translation of a scoliotic spine, was emulated. Postoperative patient and relevant published data of intervertebral disc stress, screw/vertebra pullout forces, and spinal profiles was used to evaluate the models validity. Intervertebral disc and vertebral reaction stresses respected published in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico values. Screw/vertebra reaction forces agreed with accepted pullout threshold values. Cobb angle measurements of spinal deformity following simulated surgical instrumentation corroborated with patient data. This computational biomechanical analysis validated a detailed volumetric spine model. Future studies seek to exploit the model to explore the performance of corrective spinal devices.
Highlights
Computational analyses, such as finite element modeling, have benefited from the ever-growing performance of computers allowing them to reliably simulate the complex biomechanical behavior of the musculoskeletal system
There is currently no available finite element model of the complete spine that can simulate the surgical correction of spinal disorders, as detailed FEM involving spinal instrumentation is limited to short segments of the spine
Pullout forces measured at the screw/vertebra interface were monitored and compared to relevant prior studies using biomechanical validated models simulating corrective scoliotic surgeries and to found threshold values suggesting risk of failure [20,21,22]
Summary
Computational analyses, such as finite element modeling, have benefited from the ever-growing performance of computers allowing them to reliably simulate the complex biomechanical behavior of the musculoskeletal system. This platform allows for a cost and time effective manner in which head-to-head device comparison may be objectively conducted. A potential fallback of rigid body modeling and patient based construction is that analyses of internal stress distributions and hypothetical cases, without the support of actual patient data, cannot be explored. There is currently no available finite element model of the complete spine that can simulate the surgical correction of spinal disorders, as detailed FEM involving spinal instrumentation is limited to short segments of the spine
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
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