| Computational modeling of the knee helps us better understand the forces and strains placed on knee structures, such as the ligaments and cartilage, during ambulatory activities. With better understanding of ligament strains and cartilage pressures during different loading situations, we are able to more accurately determine the cause of knee injury. In addition, computational knee models bring insight for rehabilitation and surgical repair (Bertozzi, Stagni, Fantozzi, & Cappello, 2007). Presented here are methods for anatomically modeling the ligaments and cartilage in the knee. These modeling techniques are then applied to an anatomically correct muscle-driven musculoskeletal model created from experimentally gathered motion and magnetic resonance imaging data. These modeling procedures allow for the prediction of both ligament and cartilage loading during ambulatory activities in the anatomic knee joint. |
