Dear ESB members,
Registration is open for the first webinar of the ESB Working Group on Musculoskeletal Spine Modelling.
Title: ESB Working Group on Musculoskeletal Spine Modelling (ESB MSM-WG) Updates
Speakers:
- Tito Bassani, IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Marwan El Rich, Khalifa University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Dominika Ignasiak, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
- Luigi La Barbera, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Date: Thursday, 2 July 2026, 10:00 CET
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal spine models are increasingly used to investigate spine biomechanics in physiological and pathological conditions. A variety of approaches are today available spanning from multibody models to fully deformable finite element models, including both co-simulation and/or hybrid approaches. However, their translation to clinical practice remains limited.
Recent systematic reviews [10.1007/s10439-025-03818-8; 10.3390/bioengineering10030315] highlighted several gaps: the complexity/heterogeneity of the adopted in silico approaches, the variety of proprietary-software and open-source codes and/or models availability, the lack of consistent terminology, lack of transparency on how models are built, validated, and their credibility assessed.
The ESB MSM-WG brings together experts of the field to discuss the latest advancements on musculoskeletal spine modelling with the general aim of enhancing comparability across different musculoskeletal spine models and their translation to the intended research question.
The Webinar will provide updates about the planned activities and officially launch of a public “Survey on Musculoskeletal Spine Modelling: Practices, Assumptions & Challenges” involving the ESB and spine modelling communities worldwide.
Best regards,
ESB Education and Early Career committee
