Geometric sensitivity analysis of a lumbar motion segment FE model

Abstract

Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of low back pain, affecting 70-85% of the general population at some time in life. Considering this fact, it is essential to characterize the behavior of the intervertebral disc and its degeneration mechanisms. To study this problem, numerical modeling presents itself as an advantageous approach, being extensively used by researchers to understand the human spine complex. A lumbar partial motion segment model and respective finite element formulation are briefly described. The model's geometric sensitivity is analyzed by varying its wedge angle and average height, and simulating its biomechanical behavior under different incremental loads, using a homemade finite element solver. The results prove that both wedge angle and average height variations have significant influence in the intervertebral discs' behavior under loading.