1Laboratoire de Biomkanique, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers, Paris, France
2Département recherche et développement, SOFAMOR SA, Berck sur Mer, France
3Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, CHU Pitié Salpêière, Paris, France
The main objective of this study is to design a three-dimensional geometrical and mechanical finite element model of the lumbar spine. The model's geometry is constructed using six parameters per vertebra. These parameters are digitized from two X-rays (anterioposterior and lateral), thus yielding an individualized model which can be arrived at from the radiographs of a tested specimen. This procedure makes the model validation easier, as geometry is generally a factor of dispersion in experimental results.
The geometrical reconstruction, in the form of a finite elements mesh, was effected for the whole lumbar spine. The global coherence of the model was verified.