Development and validation of a thoraco-lumbar-pelvic spine finite element model: a platform for spinal loading and posture simulation

Forward head posture is increasingly recognized as a contributor to lower back pain and spinal degeneration. This study presents the modification and validation of a detailed finite element (FE) model of the thoraco-lumbar-pelvic spine derived from the mesh of the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS), TLP-THUMS. The TLP-THUMS model establishes a validated biomechanical baseline for the thoracic and lumbar spine, enabling future integration with a previously validated cervical model to support whole-spine analyses of posture-related conditions. Validation was conducted at both global and segmental levels of the thoracic and lumbar spine against existing ex vivo experiments and FE models.