Study the effects of annulus fibrosus deficiency on spinal deformity using T7-T9 finite element model

Abstract

The thoracic region of the spine is a transition from the relatively mobile regions of the cervical and lumbar region. The thoracic spine is considered as the rigid portion of the spine that enables erect bipedal support and protection of the spinal cord. The T7-T9 is the part of the mid thoracic spine and untreated abnormalities in this region could lead to a disease known as scoliosis. The mechanical behaviour of this region is thus important to clinicians, to treat diseases that are associated with this region. Anatomically accurate finite element models (FEMs) of T7-T8 and T8-T9 were validated under various external loads.