Effects of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscectomy on stress distribution of human knee joint at full extension

Abstract

A three dimensional biomechanical model of the human knee joint was developed. The model was created from MRI scans and includes: bones, menisci, articular cartilage and relevant ligaments (posterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and medial collateral ligament). The purpose of this study was to compare the stress distribution on the human knee joint in two situations. The first situation includes the rupture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while the second situation includes the ACL rupture and the condition after medial meniscectomy is performed. We have used the finite element model of human knee joint to measure stress when person is standing on one foot. The finite element analysis can provide better insight at the situation in the knee joint when having anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury.