Virtual prototiping helps to reduce injuries (on the example of knee joint)

Abstract

In the sport medicine, prosthesis and rehabilitation it is necessary to evaluate the dynamical loads on joint tissues during different motions. Usually, experimental simulators are used. However such experiments require a great deal of time and expense. Also there are no experimental setups to evaluate ligament tension in motions driven by muscle contraction. In contrast the virtual simulators gives opportunity to do more for less. This paper represents the description and results of computer modeling of the knee joint and its behavior in different extremal conditions, which often occur in sport. The MSC.ADAMS software was used to build the virtual model of human knee joint. It included all components of the knee. Important feature of the model is that it allows simulating both motions - passive and active, driven by muscle contraction. Performed modeling allowed calculating a dynamical load on internal tissues of the knee particularly on ACL during sport extremal motions like jump landing, and downhill skier backward fall. Obtained data is useful in training and sport medicine in order to minimize the risk of injury.