Finite Element Modeling of Spinal Scoliosis using X-ray Images and Biomechanical Factors: Towards Digital Design of Braces

1-3% of teenagers suffer from scoliosis disorder or lateral curvature of the spine. Spinal bracing is an effective treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Effective treatment strategies and personalized braces are needed to prevent the progression of spinal curvature and the subsequent need for surgery. Finite element modeling (FEM) has become a point of difference in studying scoliosis biomechanics, enabling analysis of spinal deformities and optimization of brace design without relying on in-vivo tests. This study introduces a novel, cost-effective, and rapid FEM for scoliosis modeling using X-ray images. To this aim, the three-dimensional nature of the spinal scoliosis was modeled based on the patient vertebral body configuration. This approach incorporates a detailed model of spinal column with its soft and hard tissues. The validated model then was employed to predict the effects of the equivalent forces of the spinal brace. The loading followed the biomechanical principles of lateral displacement and transversal derotation. The simulation results show a significant modification in the coronal plane while preserving the biological structure of the sagittal curvature. This innovative biomechanical FEM is an efficient approach to scoliosis modeling, promising to enhance scoliosis treatment diagnosis and brace prescription.