Cervical Spine Anthropometric and Finite Element Biomechanical Analysis

Abstract

A multidisciplinary approach to the study of the cervical spine is presented. The cervical spine provides higher levels of flexibility and motion as compared to the lumbar and thoracic spine regions. These characteristics can be attributed to the anatomy of the specific cervical vertebra. A statistical analysis of cervical vertebra anthropometry was performed in order to determine if significant relationships exist between vertebral features. The analysis was performed on a cohort of Chinese Singaporean cervical spines. Mathematical analysis methods provide an extremely useful tool in the study of the cervical spine. Analyses can provide force displacement response characteristics of the cervical spine. Additionally, mathematical analysis methods can provide internal stress, and strain response characteristics for cervical vertebra and intervertebral discs. Mathematical analyses of the cervical spine require robust and accurate constitutive and geometric models. A review of cervical spine finite element modeling techniques and approaches is presented in order to help frame analysis and modeling best practices. A finite element analysis study was performed focusing on vertebral endplate subsidence. Subsidence is a failure mechanism in which a vertebral endplate fails after implantation of an intra vertebral implant device. The effects of vertebral endplate morphology on stress response were analyzed in order to better understand indicators for subsidence.