Validating Finite Element Model for Lumbar Spine with Experimental Data

Abstract

In the Medical Reverse Engineering (MRE) field, the manipulation of computed tomography (CT) scans from patients is complex, especially regarding the development of 3D anatomical models of patients' anatomy. This complexity depends on the variability of human anatomy, thus involving several challenges in the fabrication of custom biomedical devices. Low back pain is a worldwide widespread disease, whose cause is still unknown today. Indeed, a comprehensive understanding of spinal biomechanics is the goal that needs to be achieved for the evolution of surgical therapies and the design of useful devices for pathologies. Hence, Finite Element (FE) modelling of the lumbar spine is an important tool, useful for understanding the spinal physiological and pathological conditions. However, the obstacle of complex geometries is of extreme relevance. The aim of this paper is to support the existing literature to provide new models that can be used in FE modelling of the spine. Therefore, a novel model of the lumbar spine L45 with simplified intervertebral disc geometry was created and then the following model was validated using experimental data obtained from the literature about the long-term loading. This validated model based on long-term experiments will be useful in simulating the behaviour of the intervertebral disc during loading and unloading activities that alternate between night and day.