Detailed Finite Element Modeling of the Human Ligamentous Cervical Spine

• Author / Creator

  Agah, Faisal

• The main purpose of this study was creating a finite element model with bio-realistic geometry of ligaments in the cervical spine region. A ligamentous finite element model was created that allows the study of the stress distribution on ligaments under six different moments: flexion, extension, biaxial moments and bilateral moments. The created model was constructed considering comprehensive geometrical representation of the soft tissues such as ligaments and intervertebral disc and material laws that would make the model respond in a similar manner to the in vitro studies. The constructed model was tested against other numerical models as well as in vitro studies to ensure the current model can mimic the behaviour of the spine under any given static load. The in vitro study that was used was carried by Panjabi et al. (2001) and the finite element models used for validation are: Zhang et al. (2006); Palomar et al. (2007); Toosizadeh et al. (2011); Han et al. (2012); and Moglo et al. (2013). Using the created model, the following was demonstrated: 1) the response of the created model against in vitro studies as well as some other created models under the applied moments, 2) the load sharing percentage of the ligaments comparing to the other load bearing components in each of the six moments, 3) the stress initiation area, path prediction along the ligaments, and high stress areas in the ligaments, and 4) the most critical ligament in limiting the rotation of the spine under each of the six moments. Under the applied loads, the model had a similar response in comparison to the other finite element models mentioned earlier. It was found that stress distribution along the ligaments varied based on the ligament orientation with respect to the applied load. In addition, it was determined that high stress region changed based on the imposed load on the model. Also, the stress propagation along the ligament was dependent on the applied moment as in flexo-extension rotation, the stress was concentrated in the middle region of the ligaments while in biaxial rotation, the stress distributed diagonally along the ligament and in bilateral rotation, the stress was high on one half of the ligament and minimal on the other half.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Finite Element model
  • Static force
  • Cervical spine
  • Moment

• Graduation date

  Fall 2016

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3K649Z5D

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.