Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Discrete Geometric Based Stress Analysis Of The Lumbar Soft Tissues From In Vivo Kinematics, Joseph W. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations

Back pain in the region of the lumbar spine has become an increasingly significant problem among individuals in the United States and is a leading cause of disability and missed work days. At present, efforts focused on treating both the symptoms and causes of low back pain have proven to be difficult, and researchers and clinicians still do not fully understand the most effective means for treating the symptoms. Utilizing a biomechanics approach, it is assumed that lower back pain is, at least in part, associated with an increased localized stress.

Current models used to determine stresses are typically based …