3D MODELLING AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF ANKLE JOINT USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) DATA

Abstract

The ankle joint (or talocrural joint) is a synovial joint located in the lower limb. It is formed by the bones of the leg and the foot – the tibia, fibula and talus. Functionally, it is a hinge type joint, permitting dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot. In this research, theanalysis of total deformation and Von Mises Stress on the ankle joint was carried out for various loads applied on it with different boundary conditions. The objective of this study is the detailed study of ankle joint and to develop a 3D solid model of ankle joint and analyse with a consistent set of forces of body weight to validate this developed model under static loading conditions. Computed Tomography (CT) scan images are used to obtain the geometry of interest. Image processing & computer-aided design (CAD) software tools are employed to obtain the 3D solid model of the tibia, fibula and talus from CT images. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of robust 3D solid model of tibia, fibula and talus is done through ANSYS. Results of this study are helpful for the orthopaedic surgeon to understand the mechanical behaviour of the ankle joint and in prosthesis of human leg and foot and implant designing & fixation and can develop a better implant on the basis of these results.