Construction and validation under dynamic conditions of a novel thoracolumbar spine model with defined muscle paths using the wrapping method

Abstract

We developed novel trunk musculoskeletal models with detailed muscle paths for predicting the thoracolumbar load, and validated the developed models under dynamic loading and various postures. Two types of musculoskeletal models with different paths of the trunk muscles were constructed: a Via-Point type (with linear muscles) and Wrapping type (with curved muscles along ellipsoids). We predicted the intradiscal pressure (IDP) with the models and compared the results with literature values. The IDP predicted using the wrapping-type model had an extremely strong correlation with IDP measurements from the thoracic spine. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of more accurate muscle paths in musculoskeletal models for predicting the thoracolumbar load.