Abstract
Objective:The aim of the present study was to develop a more realistic finite element (FE) model of the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial insertion and to analyze the stress distribution in the ACL internal fibers under load.Methods:The ACL tibial insertions were processed histologically. With Photoshop software, digital images taken from the histological slides were collaged, contour lines were drawn, and different gray values were filled based on the structure. The data were exported to Amira software and saved as “.hmascii” file. This document was imported into HyperMesh software. The solid mesh model generated using HyperMesh software was imported into Abaqus software. The material properties were introduced, boundary conditions were set, and load was added to carry out the FE analysis.Results:The stress distribution of the ACL internal fibers was uneven. The lowest stress could be observed in the ACL lateral fibers under tensile and shear load.Conclusion:The establishment of ACL tibial insertion FE model and mechanical analysis could reveal the stress distribution in the ACL internal fibers under load. There was greater load carrying capacity in the ACL lateral fibers which could sustain greater tensile and shear forces.
Highlights
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been widely studied to analyze its function in joint stability and load transmission by in vivo and in vitro experiments or numerical simulations.[1,2,3,4] The finite element (FE) model of the ACL can provide some useful information otherwise difficult to obtain from experiments
An ACL tibial insertion consists of four distinct tissue layers of transition, namely ligaments, uncalcified fibrocartilage (UF), calcified fibrocartilage (CF), and subchondral bone
Tensile Load: A stress nephogram indicated that the ACL internal fibers tensile stress was distributed unevenly
Summary
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been widely studied to analyze its function in joint stability and load transmission by in vivo and in vitro experiments or numerical simulations.[1,2,3,4] The finite element (FE) model of the ACL can provide some useful information otherwise difficult to obtain from experiments. Many simple loading conditions have been tested to analyze the stress distribution of ACL in the kinematic characteristics of human knee joint.[5,6,7,8] In the present study, the authors tried to analyze the stress distribution of ACL focusing on the mechanical characteristics of the ACL tibial insertion tissues. The region-dependent matrix organization and the interface subdivision into uncalcified and calcified regions caused a gradual increase in mechanical properties across the interface regions and minimized the stress levels, enabling effective load transfer from ligament to bone.[9] Each of inserted tissues played a different role in the force transmission from ACL to tibia, which would obviously influence the stress distribution of the ACL internal fibers. The aim of the present study was to develop a more realistic FE model of the human ACL tibial insertion and to analyze the stress distribution in the ACL internal fibers under load
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