Computer Modeling of the Thoracic Spine in Children: Assessment of the Contribution of Rectified Kyphosis in the Possible Development of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Introduction: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is a spinal deformity. Its development can be linked to hypokyphosis in the thoracic region. Objective: The present study proposed to investigate, through the finite element method, the biomechanics of the immature thoracic spine segment T5-T10 in normal and rectified kyphosis under axial load, flexion and extension. Materials and Methods: Intervertebral discs were modeled as hyperelastic material and vertebral bone as elastic linear material. The bone was divided into trabecular and cortical regions. Furthermore, discs were divided into nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrous. Results: Results indicate greater instability of rectified segments with larger strain and displacements, mainly under extension. Conclusion: It was concluded that the rectified model is predisposed to the development of scoliosis since higher deformations and displacements in this condition were observed, going in favor of the assumption that this factor would be one of the causes of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.