Finite Element Study: Locus of Axis of Rotation of T₁₁-T₁₂ and T₁₂-L₁ Segments under Flexion/Extension and Axial Rotation Configurations

EC Teo¹*, TX Qiu¹, S Haiblikova², L Vignard³

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000181

Received: July 06, 2017;   Published: July 10, 2017

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Abstract

In human, the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ) is a transitional region where the normal kyphotic thoracic region shifts to the normal lordotic lumbar region; the coronally oriented facet joints of the thoracic region transform to the sagitally oriented facet joints of the lumbar; and the relatively immobile thoracic region changes to the relatively mobile lumbar region. The different anatomical characteristics at the functional spinal units (FSUs) of T11- T12 and T12-L1 provide an opportunity to study the associations between pathoanatomical changes in these two levels. Hence, it is of interest to investigate the biomechanical responses of the spinal motion segments T11-T12 and T12-L1, which possess the transitional vertebra T12, to determine whether the biomechanical kinematic properties reflect these anatomical changes between these FSUs. The movement of a FSU is dependent upon several parameters, namely its complex geometry, facet articulations and material characteristics of the ligament us tissues, intervertebral discs, and upon the applied load vectors.

Accordingly, this study aimed to use a validated FE models of thoracolumbar junctional T11- T12 and T12-L1 functional spinal units (FSUs) validated under physiological loading modes: flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, and to compare the kinematics in terms of the locations and loci of instantaneous axes of rotation (IARs).

Keywords: Thoracolumbar Junction; Finite Element; Axis of Rotation; Functional Spinal Unit

Abbreviations: TLJ: Thoraco Lumbar Junction; FSU: Functional Spinal Units; IAR: Instantaneous Axes of Rotation

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