Modeling the Impact of Meniscal Tears on von Mises Stress of Knee Cartilage Tissue

Bioengineering (Basel). 2023 Mar 1;10(3):314. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering10030314.

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the stressed state of cartilage using various meniscal tear models. To perform this research, the anatomical model of the knee joint was developed and the nonlinear mechanical properties of the cartilage and meniscus were verified. The stress-strain curve of the meniscus was obtained by testing fresh tissue specimens of the human meniscus using a compression machine. The results showed that the more deteriorated meniscus had greater stiffness, but its integrity had the greatest impact on the growth of cartilage stresses. To confirm this, cases of radial, longitudinal, and complex tears were examined. The methodology and results of the study can assist in medical diagnostics for meniscus treatment and replacement.

Keywords: cartilage; femur; finite element method; hyperelasticity; meniscus; tibia.

Grants and funding

This work was partially funded by European Structural and Social Funds (ES Struktūrinės Paramos) through the Research Council of Lithuania (Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba) according to the activity Attracting Foreign Researchers for Research Implementation (2018-2022), Grant Nr. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-02-0022.