Finite element (FE) model studies have made important contributions to our understanding of functional biomechanics of the lumbar spine. However, if a model is used to answer clinical and biomechanical questions over a certain population, their inherently large inter-subject variability has to be considered. Current FE model studies, however, generally account only for a single distinct spinal geometry with one set of material properties. This raises questions concerning their predictive power, their range of results and on their agreement with in vitro and in vivo values. Eight well-established FE models of the lumbar spine (L1-5) of different research centers around the globe were subjected to pure and combined loading modes and compared to in vitro and in vivo measurements for intervertebral rotations, disc pressures and facet joint forces. Under pure moment loading, the predicted L1-5 rotations of almost all models fell within the reported in vitro ranges, and their median values differed on average by only 2° for flexion-extension, 1° for lateral bending and 5° for axial rotation. Predicted median facet joint forces and disc pressures were also in good agreement with published median in vitro values. However, the ranges of predictions were larger and exceeded those reported in vitro, especially for the facet joint forces. For all combined loading modes, except for flexion, predicted median segmental intervertebral rotations and disc pressures were in good agreement with measured in vivo values. In light of high inter-subject variability, the generalization of results of a single model to a population remains a concern. This study demonstrated that the pooled median of individual model results, similar to a probabilistic approach, can be used as an improved predictive tool in order to estimate the response of the lumbar spine.

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An apparatus was developed to measure load-displacement friction properties at the cancellous bone/porous-coated metal plate interface. Bone cubes were obtained from different proximal regions of four resurfaced cadaveric tibiae. Three different porous-surfaced metal plates (one fiber mesh and two bead) and a smooth-surface metal plate were used. In the presence of a constant normal contact pressure (0.10, 0.15, or 0.25 MPa), a variable tangential load up to the maximum resistance of the interface was applied and both relative normal and tangential displacements were recorded. Repetitive and fatigue loadings were also considered. Measured results show that the interface friction curve is highly nonlinear, exhibiting large relative tangential displacements in the range of 50-400 microns before the maximum load is reached. Relative displacements in the normal direction remain below 10 microns. The maximum resistance in friction is independent of the bone excision site, type of porous-surfaced metal plate, magnitude of normal load, placement of bone cubes on metal plates or vice versa, repetition of applied load, and conservation period of bone cubes in saline solution. The smooth-surfaced metal plate has significantly smaller friction resistance than porous-coated ones. The fatigue loading of up to 4000 cycles at 1 Hz, in the presence of 0.25 MPa contact pressure, slightly decreases the interface friction coefficient. Finally, the initial secant stiffness of the interface at 75% of the maximum resistance load is found to be larger for the bone cubes from the lateral and medial regions and for the metal plate with smooth surface.

Finite element methods can be used to predict concentration gradients of solutes throughout the disc in relation to changes in disc and endplate morphology, disc properties, and cellular activities. This study provides a foundation for investigating the effect of load-induced changes or effects of changes in cellular metabolism on disc nutritional supply.

Friction tests between cancellous bone cubes and porous-surfaced metal plates were conducted in order to determine the mechanical properties of the interface in a knee porous-surfaced metal implant. Bone specimens were obtained from fresh frozen amputated tibiae and three metal plates were chosen: titanium bead porous-surfaced, titanium fiber mesh porous-surfaced, and smooth stainless steel. Results show that the friction curve is highly nonlinear. Friction coefficients measured vary between 0.3 and 1.3. The friction coefficient of the interface is independent of the excision site of the bone cubes and of the magnitude of the rate of relative displacement at the interface. The friction coefficient appears to vary slightly with the normal contact pressure for all the metal surfaces. Both porous surfaces have statistically a higher friction coefficient than the smooth surface. This is likely due to the presence of surface asperities whereby the metal ploughs the bone surface. However, no significant differences is observed between bead and fiber mesh types.