A Finite Element Analysis to Study the Effect of Various Loading Conditions on the Intervertebral Disc in L4-L5 Section of Lumbar Spine

摘要

Lower back pain has been one among the difficulties faced in general, occurring in prevalent due to natural intervertebral disc failures in the lumbar spine region. Studies are required to examine natural disc failures due to day to day activities. A model of human lumbar spine section L4-L5 was generated to check for stability of natural disc under various loading conditions using finite element analysis. Computer tomography scan images were compiled together to generate a three-dimensional model of lumbar spine section L4-L5 by segmentation technique. Further, the model was prepared along with the generation of cortical bone, annulus pulposus, nucleus pulpous, vertebral endplates and corresponding ligaments. The material properties for each of the components were incorporated into the model from the literature available and meshed for analysis. The L4-L5 lumbar spine section model created, upon being checked for different motions of spine showed satisfying results yielding normal human motion preservation. Natural disc deformation parameters were observed under different loading conditions for daily activities.