Validation of finite element model of human lumbar vertebrae under mechanical forces

Finite element analysis has been used extensively in medical field in investigating the degrees of movement in spine and other biomechanical forces acting on spine and other bones. Bone being nonhomogeneous in nature, developing a nonhomogeneous model of vertebral bones consume much time and a tedious process requiring anatomical knowledge. Due to metal implants and artifacts, this process further becomes impossible or not possible at all. Thus, developing a homogeneous model for finite element analysis seems plausible. Hence, this study constructed a homogeneous model of lumbar vertebral bones along with the intervertebral disc using an image processing software, MIMICS Innovation Suite by Materialise. Constructed model was exported to ANSYS for FEA analysis. Results of this study was compared with the literature results and the percentage difference was found to be less than 5%. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was done between homogeneous and nonhomogeneous geometry models and the p-value was found to be 0.052. Hence, this finite element model of lumbar vertebrae is validated and can be used for further analysis.