Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis young female rib hump: normative biomechanical data study

• Berteau Jean-Philippe
• Lasaygues Philippe
• Pithioux Martine
• Chabrand Patrick

• Scoliosis
• Ribs
• Elastic properties

In Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, several investigations [1-2] demonstrated that low bone mineral density (BMD) is a systematic disorder which can be persistent. However, unlike vertebrae, no specific scoliotic ribs data are available in literature neither for internal morphometric data nor for mechanical properties and mineral distribution. To model scoliotic rib cage, realistic data are necessary. Focusing on specific scoliotic's ribs characteristics at the rib hump level is the aim of this paper. Ribs from human surgery wastes (gibbectomy) were studied to assess cross sectional dimensions, BMD and mechanical properties (Y oung’ s modulus). A three-step method was developed: firstly, we evaluated the porosity of cortical bone by histology, secondly we processed a Ct-scan evaluation, on whole ribs for cross section dimensions, and on cortical sticks extracted for BMD. Finally, an ultrasonic experimentation provided mechanical values.