Scoliosis study using finite element models.

Finite element models have been used for many years to study scoliosis biomechanics. This paper presents some of the work done in our institution over the last decade in this area. It covers the simulations of scoliosis treatment (orthotics, surgical instrumentation), muscle and control, as well as the growth process. The models presented in this paper are of clinical interest because they have the capacity to simulate an unlimited number of variables to investigate scoliosis biomechanics. Current developments are directed toward the integration and validation of specific models (muscle, control, and growth modeling) into a unified refined model of the trunk, thus allowing a more complete understanding of scoliotic spine pathomechanicsms, as well as to predict in advance what would be the resulting shape of the spine in response to the application of a treatment