Comparison of the viscoelastic creep behavior of spine different regions by using finite element method

There are extensive differences in the structure and composition between cervical and thoracolumbar discs. There is no comparison between the time-dependent "creep" behavior of different regions of spine. In this study, three different finite element models of motion segments in spine different regions (Lumbar, Thoracic and Cervical) were prepared. All of the models were prepared by using a new element. The new element consists a disc (Viscoelastic Euler Beam Element) and a vertebra (Rigid Link) as a unit element. The hire of new element leads to reduction of the runtime of the models. For validating the models, prediction of the lumbar segment motion model for short creep test was compared with in-vivo result. After validation of the model predictions, other models were subjected to the same boundary conditions. The results show that although the creep results for the models of lumbar region and thoracic region are near to each other, they are differences from cervical region results.