الفهرس 
Biomechanical Behavior of the Spine after Induced Compression Fracture: Finite Element Modeling
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Abstract
Background: Prediction of vertebral properties and associated fracture risk is a serious challenge for patients who have osteoporosis. Purpose:This study aimed to improve the efficiency of the computed tomography-based finite element model (CT/FEM) to predict the strength, stiffness, and failure pattern of the vertebrae under compression. Methods: Twenty porcine specimens (12 thoracic and 8 lumbar vertebrae) and twelve cadaveric human thoracic vertebrae were imaged using CT scanner for an accurate representation of the vertebral bone geometry to build the 3D models. Uniaxial compressive load testing of the vertebrae was conducted. Non-linear FE analysis was performed to simulate the experimental testing with the same boundary conditions. Results: The average stiffness± SD obtained for the human cadaver thoracic bodies was 5462 ± 1450 N/mm, and the average peak load was 3132 ± 467 N. For porcine specimens, the average thoracic vertebral stiffness was 9545 ± 1880 N/mm, and the strength was 10198±1486 N, while for the lumbar part, the mean vertebral stiffness and strength were 9206 ± 932 N/mm and 10125 ± 1445 N, respectively. For the human thoracic specimens, Pearson’s correlations between numerical (CT-based FEA) and measured (In-vitro experimental) results showed a strong correlation for the stiffness (r= 0.855, p= 0.002) and the strength (r = 0.941, p = 0.0001). For the porcine specimens, there was a strong correlation for the peak load (r= 0.90, p= 0.097) and moderate correlation for the stiffness (r = 0.68, p = 0.320).The experimental fracture cracks and their locations in the specimens agreed reasonably well with those of the CT/FE models. Conclusions: The non-linear FE analysis was successfully validated by the in-vitro experiment. This modeling approach could be adapted to assess in-vivo loading conditions, therapeutic effects, and surgical spinal implants.