Development of a lumbosacral spine finite element model using intact and surgically altered spines - biomed 2009

A previously developed three-dimensional lumbosacral spine finite element (FE) model was extended and validated using both in vitro intact and surgically altered data. Four cadaveric lumbosacral spine segments (L3-Sacrum) were tested under flexion-extension up to 8.0 Nm. Moment rotation responses were obtained using a motion analysis system. A L3-S1 FE model was developed by adding L3 vertebra, L3-L4 interverterbral disc, and corresponding ligaments into the previous L4-S1 FE model. The predicted moment rotation responses in flexion from both intact and surgically altered models were in good agreement with in vitro data whereas minor difference was found in the extension response. This work serves as a pilot study to use the current FE model to fully match more in vitro data including lateral bending, axial rotation, and compressionflexion.