Patient-Specific Finite Element Model to Simulate the Behaviour of a Scoliotic Spine

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most frequent deformity of the growing spine. Scoliosis predominantly affects girls during the adolescent growth spurt. Untreated deformities become social stigmas, are crippling and can compromise organ function. Therefore, uncontrollable progression of curvature and related complex deformities require operative treatment. Surgery is currently the only way to effectively decrease the angle of curvature. Unfortunately, operative methods are still based on principles introduced by Hibbs in 1911 — long, stiff bony fusion of a major portion of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine.