Finite Element Method for the Evaluation of the Human Spine: A Literature Overview

Abstract

The finite element method (FEM) represents a computer simulation method, originally used in civil engineering, which dates back to the early 1940s. Applications of FEM have also been used in numerous medical areas and in orthopedic surgery. Computing technology has improved over the years and as a result, more complex problems, such as those involving the spine, can be analyzed. The spine is a complex anatomical structure that maintains the erect posture and supports considerable loads. Applications of FEM in the spine have contributed to the understanding of bone biomechanics, both in healthy and abnormal conditions, such as scoliosis, fractures (trauma), degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis. However, since FEM is only a digital simulation of the real condition, it will never exactly simulate in vivo results. In particular, when it concerns biomechanics, there are many features that are difficult to represent in a FEM. More FEM studies and spine research are required in order to examine interpersonal spine stiffness, young spine biomechanics and model accuracy. In the future, patient-specific models will be used for better patient evaluations as well as for better pre- and inter-operative planning.

Finite Element Analysis of Thoracic Vertebral Stability Supported by the Fourth Spine

“…In this way, the importance of the sternum to serve as a strut and limit movements in the sagittal plane was understood. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Based on our results, a graph was made (Figure 7) where it was possible to observe that model C behaves more unstable; in addition, the displacement measured in the different models shows a linear behavior between the deformity of the sternum and the fracture of T5 (Figure 8).…”

Possibilities of personalized finite element segmental analysis of the cervical spine for predicting the course of dorsopathy

“…Несмотря на высокую информативность конечно-элементного метода в вопросах прогнозирования и влияния патологических вариантов биомеханики опорно-двигательной системы на нервную систему, существует ряд проблем в клиническом применении метода. В первую очередь это высокие временные и вычислительные затраты [18], связанные с отсутствием стандартизированных протоколов КЭА в задачах моделирования напряженно-деформированного состояния (НДС) опорно-двигательной системы [19]. В предыдущем исследовании [20] мы разработали и валидировали модели сегментов шейного отдела позвоночника в норме.…”

“…19). При этом предельные нагрузки по Мизесу концентрировались в левой части кортикального слоя тел позвонков.Картина распределения напряжений в МПД представлена на рис 20…”

Development of a Computational Model of the Mechanical Behavior of the L4–L5 Lumbar Spine: Application to Disc Degeneration

“…Computer simulation, in contrast to in vitro field experiments, makes it possible to evaluate the impact of each aspect of disc degradation individually due to the absence of limitations associated with the availability of laboratory disc samples with the necessary characteristics [ 18 ]. Most of the simulation has been performed on the basis of the finite element method using the commercial software ANSYS and ABAQUS [ 19 ]. For modeling, the mechanical behavior of the spine, mainly elastic models, is used [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], where the description of the mechanical behavior of the vertebrae and discs is reduced to the linear elastic behavior of a homogeneous material with averaged properties.…”