Modeling and Simulation of Mechanical
Behavior of Spinal Ligaments
with Applications in Traction Therapy
Adela Neam¸ tu Popescu, Lucian Rusu, Ion Cr⸠stiu, Alexandru Pav˘ al,
and Liviu Bereteu
Abstract Traction is a mechanical action and refers to forces applied to the body
with the purpose of stretching a certain part or separating two or more parts. This
physiotherapeutic method has been known since antiquity, and its use is generally
limited to the cervical and lumbar spine, with the aim of relieving pain in or coming
from this area. The purpose of this paper is to model the viscoelastic behavior of
the spine ligaments through a Burgers rheological model, respectively, to simulate
this behavior in Simulink by highlighting the two phases of the stretching process:
creep and creep recovery. The practical physiotherapeutic effects of the ligament
elongation process are analyzed. The elongation process is determined by a traction
force that can be controlled computerized, both in size and shape.
1 Introduction
The vertebral column is the most important segment of the locomotor system and
forms the axial skeleton of the trunk, providing spinal cord protection, orthostatic
positioning of the body, as well as a biomechanical role in the transmission of large
movements. To ensure the resistance and mobility of the spine, bone elements called
vertebrae are joined by fibrous connective elements called ligaments and between
two vertebrae there is an intervertebral disk.
A. Neam¸ tu Popescu · L. Rusu · I. Cr⸠stiu · A. Pav˘ al · L. Bereteu (B)
Mechanics and Materials Strength Department, Politehnica University of Timi¸ soara, Bd. Mihai
Viteazul, Nr. 1, 300222 Timi¸ soara, Romania
e-mail: liviu.bereteu@upt.ro
A. Neam¸ tu Popescu
e-mail: adelaneamtu@yahoo.com
L. Rusu
e-mail: lucian.rusu@upt.ro
I. Cr⸠stiu
e-mail: ion_crastiu@yahoo.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
N. Herisanu and V. Marinca (eds.), Acoustics and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures—AVMS 2019, Springer Proceedings in Physics 251,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54136-1_31
315
Behavior of Spinal Ligaments
with Applications in Traction Therapy
Adela Neam¸ tu Popescu, Lucian Rusu, Ion Cr⸠stiu, Alexandru Pav˘ al,
and Liviu Bereteu
Abstract Traction is a mechanical action and refers to forces applied to the body
with the purpose of stretching a certain part or separating two or more parts. This
physiotherapeutic method has been known since antiquity, and its use is generally
limited to the cervical and lumbar spine, with the aim of relieving pain in or coming
from this area. The purpose of this paper is to model the viscoelastic behavior of
the spine ligaments through a Burgers rheological model, respectively, to simulate
this behavior in Simulink by highlighting the two phases of the stretching process:
creep and creep recovery. The practical physiotherapeutic effects of the ligament
elongation process are analyzed. The elongation process is determined by a traction
force that can be controlled computerized, both in size and shape.
1 Introduction
The vertebral column is the most important segment of the locomotor system and
forms the axial skeleton of the trunk, providing spinal cord protection, orthostatic
positioning of the body, as well as a biomechanical role in the transmission of large
movements. To ensure the resistance and mobility of the spine, bone elements called
vertebrae are joined by fibrous connective elements called ligaments and between
two vertebrae there is an intervertebral disk.
A. Neam¸ tu Popescu · L. Rusu · I. Cr⸠stiu · A. Pav˘ al · L. Bereteu (B)
Mechanics and Materials Strength Department, Politehnica University of Timi¸ soara, Bd. Mihai
Viteazul, Nr. 1, 300222 Timi¸ soara, Romania
e-mail: liviu.bereteu@upt.ro
A. Neam¸ tu Popescu
e-mail: adelaneamtu@yahoo.com
L. Rusu
e-mail: lucian.rusu@upt.ro
I. Cr⸠stiu
e-mail: ion_crastiu@yahoo.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
N. Herisanu and V. Marinca (eds.), Acoustics and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures—AVMS 2019, Springer Proceedings in Physics 251,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54136-1_31
315