Background. Scoliosis is a three-dimensional (3D) deformity of the spine, which affects the patient’s appearance and may lead to abnormal heart and lung function. The rib cage is a structure composed of ribs, sternum, and costal cartilage, which plays a vital role in stabilising the thoracolumbar spine. This study investigates the influence of the rib cage on the static characteristics of the scoliotic spine. Methods. Two types of 3D finite element (FE) models with or without rib cage (from T1 to S) were established and analysed based on computed tomography (CT) images, to determine the effects of the rib cage on the static characteristics of the scoliotic spine. The FE software, ABAQUS, was used to analyse the static behaviours of scoliotic spine models under a range of loading conditions, including left side bending, right side bending, front tilt, rear supine, and vertical compression. The changes in the von Mises stress (VMS) within the intervertebral discs of spine models with or without rib cage were studied and compared. Results. After including the rib cage, the maximum VMS at the stress concentrations of the normal and scoliotic spine effectively reduced. The VMS in normal intervertebral discs was gentler than that of scoliotic ones. However, the scoliotic spine was more likely to produce large stress concentration in the intervertebral discs of scoliotic segments. Conclusions. Under the common postures, intervertebral discs of scoliotic segments are more susceptible to generate stress concentrations compared with the normal spine. The rib cage could effectively keep the intervertebral discs of scoliotic segments from further injuries. These results are of great significance for the prevention and treatment of the scoliotic spine.

中文翻译：

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肋骨笼对脊柱侧弯静态特性的影响

背景。脊柱侧弯是脊柱的三维（3D）畸形，会影响患者的外貌，并可能导致心肺功能异常。肋骨是由肋骨、胸骨和肋软骨组成的结构，对稳定胸腰椎起着至关重要的作用。本研究调查了胸腔对脊柱侧凸静态特性的影响。方法. 基于计算机断层扫描 (CT) 图像建立和分析有或没有胸腔 (从 T1 到 S) 的两种类型的 3D 有限元 (FE) 模型, 以确定胸腔对脊柱侧凸静态特性的影响. 有限元软件ABAQUS用于分析脊柱侧弯模型在一系列载荷条件下的静态行为，包括左侧弯曲、右侧弯曲、前倾、后仰卧和垂直压缩。研究和比较了有无肋骨模型的脊柱模型椎间盘内 von Mises 应力 (VMS) 的变化。结果. 加入肋骨后，正常脊柱和脊柱侧凸脊柱应力集中处的最大 VMS 有效降低。正常椎间盘的VMS比脊柱侧凸的要温和。然而，脊柱侧弯更容易在脊柱侧凸段的椎间盘中产生较大的应力集中。结论。在常见体位下，与正常脊柱相比，脊柱侧凸段的椎间盘更容易产生应力集中。胸廓可以有效地防止脊柱侧凸段的椎间盘进一步受伤。这些结果对于脊柱侧弯的防治具有重要意义。