Vertebral fractures commonly occur at the thoracolumbar junction. These fractures can be treated with mild residual deformity in many cases, but are reportedly associated with increased risk of secondary vertebral fractures. In the present study, a three‑dimensional (3D) whole spine model was constructed using the finite element method to explore the mechanism of development of compression fractures. The 3D model of the whole spine, from the cervical spine to the pelvis, was constructed from computed tomography (CT) images of an adult male. Using a normal spine model and spine models with compression fractures at the T11, T12 or L1 vertebrae, the distribution of strain was analyzed in the vertebrae after load application. The normal spine model demonstrated greater strain around the thoracolumbar junction and the middle thoracic spine, while the compression fracture models indicated focused strain at the fracture site and adjacent vertebrae. Increased load time resulted in the extension of the strain region up to the middle thoracic spine. The present findings, that secondary vertebral fractures commonly occur around the fracture site, and may also affect the thoracic vertebrae, are consistent with previous clinical and experimental results. These results suggest that follow‑up examinations of compression fractures at the thoracolumbar junction should include the thoracic spine and adjacent vertebrae. The current data also demonstrate that models created from CT images can be used for various analyses.
Compression fracture model construction. (a) Normal spine model
Differences in surgical outcome after anterior corpectomy and reconstruction with an expandable cage with rectangular footplates between thoracolumbar and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture - North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ)
Frontiers Biomechanical Evaluation and the Assisted 3D Printed Model in the Patient-Specific Preoperative Planning for Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis: A Finite Element Analysis
Mechanical changes of percutaneous kyphoplasty and percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar compressive fractures in three-dimensional vertebral models
PDF) Finite element analysis of compression fractures at the thoracolumbar junction using models constructed from medical images
PDF) Finite Element Method Analysis of Compression Fractures on Whole-Spine Models Including the Rib Cage
Lateral X-ray of the thoraco-lumber spine showing compression fracture
Applied Sciences, Free Full-Text
Development and validation of lumbar spine finite element model [PeerJ]
Frontiers Biomechanical comparison between unilateral and bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: A finite element analysis
Biomechanical Study of Vertebral Compression Fracture Using Finite Element Analysis
PDF] Finite Element Method Analysis of Compression Fractures on Whole-Spine Models Including the Rib Cage
