Developing a Submaximal EMG-Assisted Subject-Specific Musculoskeletal Model of the Spine: Combined Computational and Experimental Study

There is no direct way to measure spinal loads, and existing methods are indirect and invasive; alternatively, musculoskeletal models can predict spinal loads accurately and economically. Existing musculoskeletal models of spine substantially simplify the spine and/or use optimization algorithms to estimate muscle forces. Thus, we aim to develop a subject-specific musculoskeletal model of the spine which has realistic representation of the spine (by using a detailed finite element model) and is driven by measured biological inputs (kinematics and electromyography). Kinematics and electromyography of 48 individuals with/without back pain are collected and used as model inputs. The proposed model addresses some of the fundamental limitations and shortcomings of existing models, provide us with new outputs (e.g., stress/strain field in intervertebral disc, novel failure analysis), and can be used to analyze individuals with back pain; therefore, it can shed light on likely biomechanical roots of back pain. This project is in collaboration with IRSST (which aims to improve occupational safety of workers, workers rehabilitation, as well as workers recovery), and IRSST will use the outcome of this project to potentially decrease biomechanical occurrence of back pain in workers as well as to develop new evaluation and treatment protocols.

Faculty Supervisor:

Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl

Student:

Partner:

IRSST;Polytechnique Montréal

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Other

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program: