Dynamic response of the idiopathic scoliotic spine to axial cyclic loads

Numerical techniques were used to study the vibration response of idiopathic scoliosis patients with single thoracic curve.

To analyze the dynamic characteristics of the idiopathic scoliotic spine under the whole-body vibration condition. The influence of the upper body mass was also studied.

The relationship between the whole-body vibration and the spinal disorders has been investigated using finite element method. However, the dynamic response features of the scoliotic spine to the vibration were poorly understood.

The resonant frequencies of the scoliotic spine and the effects of the body weight were studied using a finite element model described previously. Modal and harmonic analysis was conducted. The amplitudes of 6 fundamental vertebral movements around the long, coronal and sagittal axis were quantified in the frequency range of 1 to 35 Hz.

The vibration-induced rotation amplitudes of the apex of the thoracic deformity were higher than that of the lumbar segments. The apical vertebrae had the greatest rotation amplitudes at 2 and 8 Hz, and the largest lateral translation amplitudes at 16 Hz. Vibration could cause large lateral flexion amplitudes in the apex of the thoracic deformity. The apical vertebrae had the largest side flexion amplitudes at 6 Hz. Increasing upper body mass could not change resonant frequency of vibration-induced lateral translation and rotation around the long axis of the apical vertebrae.

The scoliotic spine is more sensitive to vibration than the normal spine. For a patient with single thoracic curve, long-term whole-body vibration may do more harm to the thoracic deformity than to the lower lumbar segments. Axial cyclic loads applied to an already deformed spine may cause further rotational and scoliotic deformity. The patients with idiopathic scoliosis are more likely to suffer from vibration-induced spinal disorders than those by normal persons.