In most finite element (FE) studies of vertebral bodies, axial compression is the loading mode of choice to investigate structural properties, but this might not adequately reflect the various loads to which the spine is subjected during daily activities or the increased fracture risk associated with shearing or bending loads. This work aims at proposing a patient-specific computer tomography (CT)-based methodology, using the currently most advanced, clinically applicable finite element approach to perform a structural investigation of the vertebral body by calculation of its full six dimensional (6D) stiffness matrix. FE models were created from voxel images after smoothing of the peripheral voxels and extrusion of a cortical shell, with material laws describing heterogeneous, anisotropic elasticity for trabecular bone, isotropic elasticity for the cortex based on experimental data. Validated against experimental axial stiffness, these models were loaded in the six canonical modes and their 6D stiffness matrix calculated. Results show that, on average, the major vertebral rigidities correlated well or excellently with the axial rigidity but that weaker correlations were observed for the minor coupling rigidities and for the image-based density measurements. This suggests that axial rigidity is representative of the overall stiffness of the vertebral body and that finite element analysis brings more insight in vertebral fragility than densitometric approaches. Finally, this extended patient-specific FE methodology provides a more complete quantification of structural properties for clinical studies at the spine.
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e-mail: yan.chevalier@med.uni-muenchen.de
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A Patient-Specific Computer Tomography-Based Finite Element Methodology to Calculate the Six Dimensional Stiffness Matrix of Human Vertebral Bodies
Yan Chevalier,
Yan Chevalier
Orthopedics Department, University Hospital Grosshadern, Laboratory for Biomechanics and Experimental Orthopedics, Marchioninistrasse 23, D- 81377 Munich, Germany;
e-mail: yan.chevalier@med.uni-muenchen.de
Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics
, Gußhausstraße, 27-29, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
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Philippe K. Zysset
Philippe K. Zysset
Institute of Surgical Technology and Biomechanics,
e-mail: philippe.zysset@itsb.unibe.ch
University of Bern
, Stauffacherstrasse 78, CH-3014 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, Gußhausstraße, 27-29 A-1040 Vienna, Austria
Search for other works by this author on:
Yan Chevalier
Orthopedics Department, University Hospital Grosshadern, Laboratory for Biomechanics and Experimental Orthopedics, Marchioninistrasse 23, D- 81377 Munich, Germany;
Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics
, Gußhausstraße, 27-29, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
e-mail: yan.chevalier@med.uni-muenchen.de
Philippe K. Zysset
Institute of Surgical Technology and Biomechanics,
University of Bern
, Stauffacherstrasse 78, CH-3014 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, Gußhausstraße, 27-29 A-1040 Vienna, Austria
e-mail: philippe.zysset@itsb.unibe.ch
J Biomech Eng. May 2012, 134(5): 051006 (6 pages)
Published Online: June 5, 2012
Article history
Received:
February 1, 2012
Revised:
March 5, 2012
Posted:
May 1, 2012
Published:
June 5, 2012
Citation
Chevalier, Y., and Zysset, P. K. (June 5, 2012). "A Patient-Specific Computer Tomography-Based Finite Element Methodology to Calculate the Six Dimensional Stiffness Matrix of Human Vertebral Bodies." ASME. J Biomech Eng. May 2012; 134(5): 051006. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4006688
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