EVALUATING FLEXIBILITY OF SCOLIOTIC SPINE USING A NOVEL GENERIC SPINE MODEL FOR PREOPERATIVE PLANNING

The curve flexibility of scoliotic spines serves as a critical reference for surgeons in preoperative planning. It aids in determining the structural nature of spinal curves, selecting appropriate surgical instruments and treatment strategies to address different types of spinal deformities and predicting correction outcomes. However, numerical simulations on simulating curve flexibility are relatively limited in previous scoliosis studies, with most assessments relying on radiographic measurements. Finite element modelling (FEM) offers a valuable tool to enhance the understanding of spinal flexibility. For example, FEM can provide insights into the impact of removing different vertebral components on spinal flexibility, thereby contributing to the refinement of preoperative strategies, particularly in developing precise implant plans to match possible improvements in curve flexibility. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of our novel generic spine model in simulating spinal flexibility and evaluating how the removal of different vertebral components impacts spinal flexibility for different scoliosis types.