Multi-vertebral CT-based FE models implementing linear isotropic population-based material properties for the intervertebral discs cannot accurately predict strains

Abstract: Vertebral fractures prediction in clinics lacks of accuracy. The most used scores have limitations in distinguishing between subjects at risk or not. Finite element (FE) models generated from computed tomography (CT) of these patients may improve the predictive capability. Many models have already been proposed but the most of them considered the single vertebral body, excluding from the analysis the role of the inter-vertebral discs in the distribution of the load through the spine. Multi-vertebral models instead allow to examine more complex boundary condition. However, CT scans do not provide subject-specif information about the material properties of the disc. Consequently, the goal of the study was to validate a multi-vertebral FE model with subject specific modelling of the vertebral bone and population-based properties assigned to the disc, idealizing them with a linear isotropic material. Boundary condition were assigned in order to reproduce an experimental test performed on the same specimen and recorded using digital image correlation technique (DIC). FE and DIC strains on the vertebral surfaces are compared point-wise. Young's modulus values in the range 25-30 MPa allowed to achieve a comparable order of magnitude between experimental and computational data. However, the two distribution remained strongly different. To conclude, subject-specific material properties need to be assigned also to the discs as well as to the vertebrae to achieve acceptable accuracy in the assessment of the fracture risk.