Finite element simulation of knee joint pressure and surface displacement: relationship and influencing factors

Abstract

Knee sleeves are widely used functional pressure garments that exert pressure on the knee, causing body surface displacement and deformation. Understanding the relationship between knee joint pressure distribution and body surface displacement, along with the factors affecting this displacement, is crucial for optimizing knee sleeves. This study established a biomechanical model of the human knee joint using three-dimensional reconstruction and finite element analysis. The study simulated the pressure distribution and body surface displacement after wearing five different knee sleeve designs. Using SPSS software, it analyzed clothing and human factors to determine the main influences on displacement, resulting in linear regression equations linking knee physiological characteristics and skin displacement. Findings indicated that skin curvature radius and the distance between skin and bone significantly affect displacement, while knee sleeve structure design shows less correlation. The study also divided the knee joint into eight sections to calculate volume shrinkage after compression, providing insights for designing knee sleeves that enhance comfort and functionality based on human physiology.