Are subject-specific models necessary to predict patellar tendon fatigue life? A finite element modelling study. Issue 7 (19th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Firminger, Colin R.; Haider, Ifaz T.; Bruce, Olivia L.; Wannop, John W.; Stefanyshyn, Darren J.; Edwards, W. Brent
• Is Part Of: Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. Volume 25:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 729
• Page End: 739
• Publication Date: 2022-05-19
• Subjects: Patellar tendinopathy -- overuse injury -- finite element modelling -- strain; Biomechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- methods -- Periodicals; Computing Methodologies -- Periodicals; 612.7
• DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2021.1975683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1025-5842

Abstract

Abstract: Patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury that occurs from repetitive loading of the patellar tendon in a scenario resembling that of mechanical fatigue. As such, fatigue-life estimates provide a quantifiable approach to assess tendinopathy risk and may be tabulated using nominal strain (NS) or finite element (FE) models with varied subject-specificity. We compared patellar tendon fatigue-life estimates from NS and FE models of twenty-nine athletes performing countermovement jumps with subject-specific versus generic geometry and material properties. Subject-specific patellar tendon material properties and geometry were obtained using a data collection protocol of dynamometry, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Three FE models were created for each subject, with: subject-specific (hyperelastic) material properties and geometry, subject-specific material properties and generic geometry, and generic material properties and subject-specific geometry. Four NS models were created for each subject, with: subject-specific (linear elastic) material properties and moment arm, generic material properties and subject-specific moment arm, subject-specific material properties and generic moment arm, and generic material properties and moment arm. NS- and FE-modelled fatigue-life estimates with generic material properties were poorly correlated with their subject-specific counterparts ( r 2 ≤0.073), while all NS models overestimated fatigue life compared to the subject-specific FE model ( r 2 ≤0.223). Furthermore, FE models with generic tendon geometry were unable to accurately represent the heterogeneous strain distributions found in the subject-specific FE models or those with generic material properties. These findings illustrate the importance of incorporating subject-specific material properties and FE-modelled strain distributions into fatigue-life estimations.