C4–C5 Segment Finite Element Model Development and Investigation of Intervertebral Disc Behaviour

Clinical problems of the human cervical spine continue to be widespread in our society. In the past few decades, many experimental and simulation techniques were adopted to study the motion of the cervical spine. The functional spine unit is made of vertebrae, end plates, intervertebral disc and ligaments. To understand the biomechanical behaviour of cervical spine a detailed finite element model is needed. The focus of the study is to develop the cervical spine from (C4–C5) finite element model with accurate dimensions and representation of the material properties. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of cervical spine segment (C4–C5) was developed using computed tomography CT scan and applied to study the stresses distribution of the intervertebral discs under quasi-static loading conditions. A pure moment loading of 1.0 Nm was applied to study the physiological motion. The model accuracy was validated by comparing the results with the previously published experimental and numerical results for various physiological motions. Several movements were analysed: flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. By using elastic and hyperelastic model behaviour of the intervertebral disc was accurately simulated. The results obtained by the elastic and the hyperelastic models showed good agreement with experimental and numerical data. The current model which reflects the behaviour of human cervical spine can be effectively used to study further biomechanics and traumatic studies.