Stott Brittany, Driscoll Mark
Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke St W Qc, H3A 0C3, Macdonald Engineering Building, Office #153, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Research Institute MUHC, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Med Biol Eng Comput. 2024 Apr;62(4):1191-1199. doi: 10.1007/s11517-023-03003-w. Epub 2023 Dec 29.
Musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain (LBP) are common global afflictions, with a higher prevalence observed in females. However, the cause of many LBP cases continues to elude researchers. Current approaches seldom consider differences in male and female spines. Thus, this study aimed to compare the load distribution between male and female spines through finite element modeling. Two finite element models of the spine, one male and one female, were developed, inclusive of sex-specific geometry and material properties. The models consisted of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs (IVD), tendons, surrounding spinal muscles, and thoracolumbar fascia and were subjected to loading conditions simulating flexion and extension. Following extensive validation against published literature, intersegmental rotation, IVD stress, and vertebral body stress were evaluated. The female model demonstrated increased magnitudes for rotation and stresses when compared to the male model. Results suggest that the augmented stresses in the female model indicate an increased load distribution throughout the spine compared to the male model. These findings may corroborate the higher prevalence of LBP in females. This study highlights the importance of using patient- and sex-specific models for patient analyses and care.
肌肉骨骼疾病和腰痛（LBP）是全球常见的疾病，女性患病率更高。然而，许多腰痛病例的病因仍未被研究人员发现。目前的方法很少考虑男性和女性脊柱的差异。因此，本研究旨在通过有限元建模比较男性和女性脊柱之间的负荷分布。开发了两个脊柱有限元模型，一个男性模型和一个女性模型，包括性别特异性的几何形状和材料特性。模型由椎体、椎间盘（IVD）、肌腱、周围的脊柱肌肉和胸腰筋膜组成，并承受模拟屈伸的加载条件。在与已发表文献进行广泛验证后，评估了节段间旋转、IVD应力和椎体应力。与男性模型相比，女性模型的旋转和应力幅度增加。结果表明，与男性模型相比，女性模型中增加的应力表明整个脊柱的负荷分布增加。这些发现可能证实了女性腰痛患病率较高的情况。本研究强调了使用针对患者和性别的模型进行患者分析和护理的重要性。
