Sensitivity of Cervical Spine Finite Element Model to Material Property Variations

The sensitivity of the human lower cervical spine finite element model to material property variations under physiologic loading vectors was determined. An anatomically accurate three-dimensional finite element model of the C4-C6 structure was exercised by independently varying the material property of its components under flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial torsion load vectors. Results indicated that the material properties of the soft tissue structures affect the external angular rotation response and the internal stresses in the spine more than the changes in the material properties of the hard tissues.