Mechanical loading effects on isthmic spondylolytic lumbar segment: finite element modelling using a personalised geometry
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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion
Published on: April 11, 2018
M El-Rich1, I Villemure, H Labelle
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
Biomechanics of the isthmic spondylolysis was investigated by using a nonlinear 3D-finite element model (FEM). A personalised in vivo pediatric geometry of L5-S1 low-grade spondylolisthesis patient was used to develop a L5-pelvis motion segment model that took into consideration vertebrae, disc and ligaments. The stress distribution in the affected motion segment under axial force only, and for a combination of flexion and extension was evaluated. Predicted results showed that, under all loading conditions, stresses were much higher on the pedicle and in the dorsal wall of the pars interarticularis due to the abnormal geometry which is consistent with clinical observations.
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