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Computational model-based probabilistic analysis of in vivo material properties for ligament stiffness using the laxity test and computed tomography

  • Clinical Applications of Biomaterials
  • Original Research
  • Published:
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Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate in vivo material properties in order to address technical aspects of computational modeling of ligaments in the tibiofemoral joint using a probabilistic method. The laxity test was applied to the anterior-posterior drawer under 30° and 90° of flexion with a series of stress radiographs, a Telos device, and computed tomography. Ligament stiffness was investigated using sensitivity analysis based on the Monte-Carlo method with a subject-specific finite element model generated from in vivo computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging data, subjected to laxity test conditions. The material properties of ligament stiffness and initial ligament strain in a subject-specific finite element model were optimized to minimize the differences between the movements of the tibia and femur in the finite element model and the computed tomography images in the laxity test. The posterior cruciate ligament was the most significant factor in flexion and posterior drawer, while the anterior cruciate ligament primarily was the most significant factor for the anterior drawer. The optimized material properties model predictions in simulation and the laxity test were more accurate than predictions based on the initial material properties in subject-specific computed tomography measurement. Thus, this study establishes a standard for future designs in allograft, xenograft, and artificial ligaments for anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea

      Kyoung-Tak Kang, Juhyun Son & Heoung-Jae Chun

    2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Arthroscopy and Joint Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea

      Sung-Hwan Kim

    3. Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Medical Convergence Research Institute, and Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea

      Young Han Lee

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    Correspondence to Heoung-Jae Chun.

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    Kyoung-Tak Kang and Sung-Hwan Kim have contributed equally to this work.

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    Kang, KT., Kim, SH., Son, J. et al. Computational model-based probabilistic analysis of in vivo material properties for ligament stiffness using the laxity test and computed tomography. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 27, 183 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-016-5797-z

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