IN-SILICO ANALYSIS OF ALIGNMENT OF HUMAN KNEE JOINT USING FINITE ELEMET METHOD FOR DESIGNING OF ARTIFICIAL KNEE

Abstract

The finite element (FE) model of knee joint is extremely useful tool for orthopedic surgeon while evaluating the biomechanics of joint of a patient when suspecting an injury, especially in case of sports injury. To begin with this study, the 3-D FE model of human healthy knee was reconstructed using CT-DICOM images with image algorithms that included the main structures of knee joint bones. Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure to replace the weight bearing surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic components in order to relieve pain and disability. It is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis and also for other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Longevity of TKA depends to a greater extend on its alignment during surgery. Most of the current alignment methods rely upon the knee surfaces the morphology of knee in average patients. In normal knee, the femur is oriented inwards and the alignment of the tibia is directed outwards to provide a foot alignment that is parallel to the ground, this alignment is known as Genu- Valgum. In this case, an even distribution of the subject’s weight is inserted in the knee. For obese patients, the thighs are naturally abducted (directed outwards), which creates a case of Genu Varum. Even with this variation in the alignment of the femur and tibia, these patients receive the same alignment of average patients.