A finite element analysis of a subject specific single-leg drop landing at varied heights

Abstract

The pathomechanics of the knee joint related to the female athlete is of high interest due to the high incidence of knee injuries compared to males. The mechanisms of knee injury are still not completely understood. Single-leg landings, stopping and cutting at high velocity are some of the non-contact mechanisms that are causing these injuries. This study looks at a subject specific analysis of a single-leg drop landing that was performed by a female subject at 60%, 80% and 100% of their maximum vertical jump. The subject's femur, tibia, articular cartilage, and menisci were modeled as 3D structures and then analyzed in a finite element package to look at the contact stresses in the cartilage and the meniscus as well as the forces being produced in the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament. The joint reaction forces in the knee were analyzed and compared to the varied heights from which the subject landed with arms across the chest. The ground reaction force varied from 2.9x – 3.4x the bodyweight of the subject and time to peak ground reaction force was reached in about 0.06s.