A Non-linear Finite Element Model for Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Injury Due to Dynamic Loading

Alexander Tsouknidas, Savvas Savvakis, Nikolaos Tsirelis, Antonios Lontos, Nikolaos Michailidis

2013

Abstract

In this paper a highly detailed model of an adult lumbar spine (L1-L5) was recreated based on Computed Tomography. Next to the viscoelastic deformation of the intervertebral discs, cortical and cancellous bone anisotropy was considered, while seven types of ligaments were simulated either by solid or cable elements. The dynamic behaviour of the spine segment was assessed through stress-strain curves, provoking a non-linear response of all implicated tissues’ material properties. The model was subjected to dynamic loading to determine abnormalities in the anatomy’s stress equilibrium that could provoke gait disturbances. Results indicated the introduced methodology as an effective alternative to in vitro investigations, capable of providing valuable insight on critical movements and loads of potential patients, as the model can be employed to optimize therapeutic training or threshold kinematics of any given lumbar spine pathology.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Tsouknidas A., Savvakis S., Tsirelis N., Lontos A. and Michailidis N. (2013). A Non-linear Finite Element Model for Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Injury Due to Dynamic Loading . In Proceedings of the International Conference on Bioinformatics Models, Methods and Algorithms - Volume 1: BIOINFORMATICS, (BIOSTEC 2013) ISBN 978-989-8565-35-8, pages 292-295. DOI: 10.5220/0004236902920295

in Bibtex Style

@conference{bioinformatics13,
author={Alexander Tsouknidas and Savvas Savvakis and Nikolaos Tsirelis and Antonios Lontos and Nikolaos Michailidis},
title={A Non-linear Finite Element Model for Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Injury Due to Dynamic Loading},
booktitle={Proceedings of the International Conference on Bioinformatics Models, Methods and Algorithms - Volume 1: BIOINFORMATICS, (BIOSTEC 2013)},
year={2013},
pages={292-295},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0004236902920295},
isbn={978-989-8565-35-8},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the International Conference on Bioinformatics Models, Methods and Algorithms - Volume 1: BIOINFORMATICS, (BIOSTEC 2013)
TI - A Non-linear Finite Element Model for Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Injury Due to Dynamic Loading
SN - 978-989-8565-35-8
AU - Tsouknidas A.
AU - Savvakis S.
AU - Tsirelis N.
AU - Lontos A.
AU - Michailidis N.
PY - 2013
SP - 292
EP - 295
DO - 10.5220/0004236902920295