Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Contents
Brief description of the human anatomy Introduction The static model The dynamic model Estimating EI with existing knowledge Implementing the new model Implications of the new model Discussion of the results Conclusion
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Introduction
This study describes the application of Euler buckling theory and the Euler pendulum to the curvature and dynamics of the human lumbar spine In the coronal plane the spine is a vertical column but, it is curved in the sagittal plane, resulting in the lumbar lordosis It resembles a vertical column which has buckled under the application of an axial load This approach is to develop a simple model which does not incorporate all of the anatomical features of the spine The purpose is to investigate both the static structure and bending in the sagittal plane
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n=1,2,.
The integer n describes the mode of buckling: n=1 represents the first buckled mode, n=2 the second buckled mode etc Comparison of the two figures shows that the curvature of the thoracolumbar spine resembles that of an n=2 buckled column. (A buckled column is still statically stable) If the inequality is not satisfied the column is stable and unbuckled and can behave dynamically as a Euler pendulum
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The dynamic model implies the spine along with the spinal musculature
Consider the Euler pendulum consisting of a vertical column supporting a mass. A small lateral force applied to the column will cause it to deflect. In the absence of damping, it will oscillate about its equilibrium position when the force is removed.
where S is defined by S = L(Mg/EI)1/2 ------(3) According to the inequality in eqn (1), the limiting condition for a real value of vo is that S has a value of /2, when vo becomes zero. When S exceeds /2 the oscillating column becomes unstable since the vo becomes a positive real number
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Then the muscles can relax to decrease EI sufficiently for the n=1 ( a flexed posture)
column to be stable
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Both EI values are considerably less than estimates of 10, 16 and 15 Nm2 for the spine in the living body (Scholten & Veldhuizen 1986; Smeathers 1987)
The reason proposed here for the discrepancy is that because in living people EI will be increased by the adaptive damping of the musculature.
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Geometric model used to calculate the COM of the body (Pooni 1983)
Thus the total proportion of the body mass above the lumbar spine is about 42%
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Geometric model used to calculate the COM of the body (Pooni 1983) 28/02/12 10 of 18
Discussion of results
The n=2 buckled column has considerable advantages for load carriage Load carriage increases the value of M and hence the effective body mass An unbuckled column corresponding to a vertical spine would be in danger of buckling in the n=1 mode i.e. spontaneously flexing as soon as an additional load was supported. An n=1 buckled column would flex further under the same conditions
Thus load carriage would be inconsistent with upright stance, unless EI were increased
by muscle action
Application of additional load to an n=2 buckled column would increase its curvature,
unless EI were increased, but the midline of this curved spine would remain vertical.
Thus load carriage with an n=2 buckled spine reduces the energy required to maintain the normal posture while supporting a load.
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Discussion of results
The bending stiffness of the spine predicted by the model is consistent with the range of values observed experimentally. According to inequality (1), equation (2) and the definition of S in equation (3), the spine is dynamically stable when its natural frequency has a negative real value i.e when S /2 This limiting value for S can be substituted into equation (3) to calculate the minimum bending stiffness, EI, needed to stabilize the spine For an average person with body mass of 70kg and with L=0.36m, EI is found to be 15Nm2.
This value is considerably greater than the value developed earlier (0.9 1.7 Nm2) which
considered only an isolated spine. However it is in excellent agreement with the experimental values of 16.2 and 10 Nm2 found by Smeathers (1987) for male and female groups respectively and of 15.3 Nm2 found by Scholten & Veldhuizen (1986)
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Discussion of results
The model also makes predictions concerning the natural frequency for flexion which are consistent with experimental observations Assuming that the L=0.36m and body mass =70kg (its assumed that 42% of this mass is
supported by the lumbar spine), equation (2) and (3) can be used to relate the natural
frequency, vo, to the bending stiffness, EI as given in the figure The maximum bending stiffness of the trunk in a living person is 97.7 Nm2 for males and 56.1 Nm2 for females ( Smeathers 1987) This value gives a natural frequency of order 2 Hz. This implies a comfortable time of 0.5s to move from an upright position to a flexed posture and back again, which is reasonable for a healthy person Measurements of the natural frequency for flexion of the spine have yielded results in the range of 1.89 2.41 Hz (Smeathers 1995)
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Conclusion
The main conclusion is that it is reasonable to consider the lumbar spine as being part of
a buckled column for which the integer n has a value of 2 in eqn (1) Such a column is expected to be stable for a spine of typical length and bending stiffness supporting a reasonable body weight. The bending stiffness of the spine can be controlled by the musculature
A column buckled in the n=2 mode has the advantage that increasing the weight
supported does not lead to a change in posture
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Conclusion
The second main conclusion is concerned directly with movement of the spine. Forward
flexion of the spine can be accounted for by changing its shape from an n=2 to an unbuckled mode. The column then behaves as an Euler pendulum which is brought to rest, at the required position in an n=1 buckled mode by the adaptive control exerted by the spinal muscles
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References
J.R.Meakin, D.W.L.Hukins and R.M.Aspden, 1996, Euler buckling as a model for the curvature and flexion of the human lumbar spine, Proceedings: Biological Sciences, Vol. 263, No. 1375, pp.1383-1387 www.spinesurgeon.com.au www.wikipedia.org
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Thank You
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