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A Numerical Model of the Load Transmission in the Tibio-Femoral Contact Area

An axisymmetric finite element model is applied to the analysis of the force transmission between the tibia-meniscus-femur. The model assumes linear elastic material properties, static loading and sliding contact between the components. The study explores the effects of (a) tibial surface geometry (plane, convex, concave), (b) inclusion of soft layers on the bony components and (c) anisotropic properties of the meniscus. When soft layers are absent, tibial surface geometry is found to affect the total axial stiffness of the model, the radial displacement of the meniscal ring as well as the meniscal share in load transmission. Inclusion of soft layers yields qualitatively the same results for the different geometries, under the understanding that axial stiffness decreases while meniscal radial displacements increase. However, the effect of tibial geometry on the meniscal share in load transmission almost disappears as soon as soft layers are applied, while at the same time a significant increase of this share is observed. Increased circumferential stiffness of the meniscal ring raises this share even more.