Biomechanical modelling of the vertebromotor segment of the human lumbar spine the problem current state

D. V. Khoroshev, O. R. Ilyalov, N. E. Ustyuzhantsev, Y. I. Nyashin

Abstract: Pain in the lower back or other part of the spine is an important reason for reducing the life quality and the population efficiency, which directly effects on the economy of countries. A huge amount of money is spent in healthcare to fight with this disease annually. The causes of this pain are very different: muscle spasms, the vertebrae osteoporosis, herniated discs, gallbladder diseases and etc. Since the intervertebral disc L4-L5 is the most vulnerable part of the lumbar spine, then the vertebromotor segment biomechanical modelling task of the lumbar spine is considered important and relevant in the modern world. A comprehensive analysis of the literature for period 2005-2020 years is performed. The work purpose is to consider various approaches to modelling of the vertebromotor segment, strong and weak parts of models and methods of obtaining the segment geometric shape. In article, the parameters are analyzed: the constitutive relations choice, the use of a set of images of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, the geometric shape of any component of the model, the finite element type, software packages (choice of stress-strain state calculation and obtaining a geometric shape from a set of images of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging), the models validation methods, the applied load kind, the age and gender impact on the overall model. Detailed analysis of each component of the vertebromotor segment: vertebrae (body (cortical and spongy tissues) and processes), intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus, fibrous ring (matrix and elastic fibers), cartilage endplate and bone endplate), facet joint (capsular ligament, vertebral processes, cartilage at the ends of these processes and synovial fluid) and ligaments (anterior and posterior longitudinal, yellow, interspinous, supraspinous, intertransverse and capsular of the facet joint) is performed.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.35 No.1 (2021),31-44

Keywords: Biomechanical modelling; finite element model; lumbar spine; modelling theory; the vertebromotor segment

Date published: 2021-04-04