Finite element stress analysis of lumbar vertebrae body during osteoporotic degradation

Abstract

The study presents results of the nonlinear finite element (FEM ) analysis of osteoporotic human lumbar vertebrae L1. The lumbar body consists of two basic parts – inner cancellous bone and outer cortical shell with anatomical geometry which is modelled as inhomogeneous elastic orthotropic body. The osteoporotic degradation of the bone tissue is modelled by reduction of the thickness of cortical shell and the power-law equations. It is subjected by physiological static and dynamic load. The modelling results are presented in terms of stresses which occur on the cortical shell. The results of the nonlinear interdependence between stress and ratio of degradation are shown. The presented results can be useful for both medical diagnosis and bone health check.