Simplified multibody model for dynamic loading analysis of the lumbar human spine

Evaluation of the loads on spine is very important since it is closely related to the spine biomechanics and its pathologies. In this study, a simplified multibody model of the human skeleton is presented, able to estimate forces and moments acting on the lumbar spine during simple daily activities. The model was validated by comparing the forces and moments in the lumbar spine, measured on two in vivo patients performing frontal and lateral flexion movements. The results show that the model is capable of reproducing the motion as well as to quantify the forces and moments acting on lumbar spine.