Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the strength and stiffness of soft tissues of the knee joint using finite element method. In the modeling, a three-dimensional (3-D) finite element model of a human knee is constructed through MR images for patient- specific case. The stress and deformation distributions of menisci and ligaments for the knee joint under different loading cases are provided. Under simple vertical static loading, our results prove menisci to be dominating in load transmission with a maximum von-Mises stress value of 1.763 MPa at the inner central region of the medial meniscus. Under dynamic jumping case with a maximum load of 1.6 times of the body weight, we received a final stress value of 1.865 MPa, while the maximum occurs at the maximum loading value with the von- Mises stress of 2.906 MPa. We also simulate knee joint twisting motion dynamically with a twisting torque of 4 Nm, and the maximum von-Mises stress values of 2.386 MPa and 0.344 MPa are predicted on the medial meniscus and the medial collateral ligament. Simulation results are validated using experimental and simulation data from literatures. The present study indicates the importance of precautions in normal activities and could provide knee joint surgeries some predictive guidance.
Published Version
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