Biomechanical Model of a Lumbar Intervertebral Joint?A System Approach

by Ali Elhagediab, Medical Coll of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States,
Narayan Yoganandan, Medical Coll of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States,
Frank A. Pintar, Medical Coll of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States,
Gautam Ray, Medical Coll of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States,
Anthony Sances, Jr., Medical Coll of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Mechanics Computing in 1990's and Beyond

Abstract:

This study was conducted to determine the forces sustained by the lumbar ligaments under flexion-compression using a two-dimensional equilibrium model. The lumbar motion segment was modeled as two rigid bars representing the vertebrae separated by springs simulating the ligaments and disc. L2-L4 was the stiffest segment followed by L4-S1 and T12-L2 levels. The supraspinous ligament (SSL) was the major load resistor in the L2-L4 level and the joint capsule (JC) in other levels. Average forces at all levels indicated that the system composed of the SSL and the interspinous ligament followed by the JC sustained the highest forces under compression-flexion.

Subject Headings: Two-dimensional models | Compression | Mathematical models | Flexural strength | Systems engineering | Structural systems | Simulation models

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