3-D Finite Element Method Modeling and Contact Pressure Analysis of the Total Knee Joint in Flexion

Based on CT scanning pictures from a volunteer's knee joint, a three-dimensional finite element model of the health human knee joint was constructed including complete femur, tibia, fibular, patellar and the main cartilage and ligaments. The model was validated by comparing with experimental and numerical results obtained from other authors. The pressure distribution of contact surfaces of knee joint are calculated and analyzed under the load action in "double legs standing" and "0deg~90deg flexion". The results of contact pressure and pressure distribution are obtained from the finite element analysis. It is found that the contact area of medial cartilage is larger than that of lateral cartilage, and that the contact force and contact area would grow larger with the increasing flexion angle; the contact pressure of lateral meniscus is steady, relative to the significant variation of peak pressure in medial meniscus.