Finite element analysis predictions in the canine lumbar spine are useful and correlate with ex vivo biomechanical studies.

Objective: To verify the validity of finite element analysis (FEA) predictions obtained from a canine lumbar segment model in comparison with experimental biomechanical testing results from the same subjects.

Animals: 6 healthy beagle dogs were euthanized for other purposes.

Methods: The L1-2 and L5-6 segments were harvested from euthanized animals and subjected to rotation tests and compression tests, respectively, using both ex vivo mechanical testing and FEA. For each method, we recorded the maximum torque value and angle of vertebral body rotation at rupture observed in rotation tests, as well as the maximum stress value and displacement of the vertebral body endplate at rupture measured from compression tests. We then calculated Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine correlations between the angle of gyration and displacement at rupture determined by mechanical testing and FEA. The study started on March 26, 2021, and ended on March 18, 2023.

Results: For the rotation test, correlation coefficients for the maximum torque and rotation angle of the vertebral body at rupture were r = 0.92 and 0.96, respectively. For the compression test, correlation coefficients for the maximum stress and displacement of the vertebral body endplate at rupture were r = 0.73 and 0.94, respectively. All results showed strong correlations between the FEA predictions and ex vivo mechanical test results.

Clinical Relevance: These findings suggest that FEA predictions are sufficiently reliable for ex vivo mechanical test results for biomechanical studies of canine lumbar segment models.