Musculoskeletal multibody dynamics simulation of the contact mechanics and kinematics of a natural knee joint during a walking cycle. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Jiayu; Chen, Zhenxian; Xin, Hua; Zhang, Qida; Jin, Zhongmin
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 232:Number 5(2018:May)
• Page Start: 508
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Musculoskeletal multibody dynamics -- contact mechanics -- kinematics -- menisci -- articular cartilages; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1177/0954411918767695
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4119

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of the in vivo loading and kinematics in the knee joint is essential to understand its normal functions and the aetiology of osteoarthritis. Computer models provide a viable non-invasive solution for estimating joint loading and kinematics during different physiological activities. However, the joint loading and kinematics of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints during a gait cycle were not typically investigated concurrently in previous computational simulations. In this study, a natural knee architecture was incorporated into a lower extremity musculoskeletal multibody dynamics model based on a force-dependent kinematics approach to investigate the contact mechanics and kinematics of a natural knee joint during a walking cycle. Specifically, the contact forces between the femoral/tibial articular cartilages and menisci and between the femoral and tibial/patellar articular cartilages were quantified. The contact forces and kinematics of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints and the muscle activations and ligament forces were predicted simultaneously with a reasonable level of accuracy. The developed musculoskeletal multibody dynamics model with a natural knee architecture can serve as a potential platform for assisting clinical decision-making and postoperative rehabilitation planning.