Simplifying the human lumbar spine (L3/L4) material in order to create an elemental structure for the future modeling

Abstract

The human lumbar spine incorporates the best joints in nature due to its optimal static and dynamic behavior against the internal and external loads. Developing an elemental structure based on this joint requires simplification in terms of the materials employed by keeping the mechanical and anatomical behaviors of the human lumbar spine. In the present study, the finite element (FE) of two motion segments of the human lumbar spine (L3/L4) was developed based on the CT scan data as the base for vertebrae geometry, verified geometry properties for another part of two motion segments, and combination of materials and loads obtained from the validated resources. Then, simplification occurred in four continuous steps such as omitting the annual fibers of annual matrix, representing the material of the annual matrix to the nucleus, demonstrating the material of annual matrix to the endplates too, and omitting the trabecular part of vertebrae. The present study aimed to propose the method for developing the basic structure of the human lumbar spine by simplifying its materials in the above-mentioned steps, analyzing the biomechanical effects of these four steps in terms of their internal and external responses, and validating the data obtained from the FE method. The validated simplified way introduced in this study can be used for future research by making implants, prosthesis, and modeling based on the human lumbar spine in other fields such as industrial design, building structures, or joints, which results in making the model easier, cheaper, and more effective. © 2019, Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.