Construction and biomechanical analysis of ankle joint finite element model in gait cycle

doi:10.12307/2022.429

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The ankle joint is one of the most important load-bearing joints in the human body and plays an important role in walking. At present, there is a lack of research on the stress of the ankle joint in the gait cycle.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the stress and area changes of the ankle joint during the gait cycle based on the finite element analysis method.
METHODS: First, an ankle finite element model was constructed with Mimics 16.0 software and Rapidform XOR3 64 software. The stress and contact area of this ankle joint model were compared with Anderson’s finite element model to verify the effectiveness of the model. Finally, ABAQUS finite element analysis software was used to simulate the stress state of the ankle joint during the gait cycle in a balanced standing condition and the pre-swing condition. By comparing the stress changes in different conditions in the same area, the role of the ankle joint in the gait cycle was analyzed to explore the changes in ankle stress under joint instability.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The ankle joint finite element model constructed in this study included 44 551 units and 16 718 nodes, and verified its validity and rationality. (2) Balanced standing conditions: The main stresses were concentrated in the anterior fibula ligament (A, B), anterior tibiotalar ligament (C, D), the proximal end of the posterior tibial ligament (F), and the lower surface of the tibiotalar joint (H). The maximum stress at the ankle joint was at the proximal attachment point (F) of the posterior tibiofibular ligament, which was 10.670 MPa. The minimum stress was at the medial malleolus tibial articular surface (J), which was 2.965 MPa. (3) The pre-oscillation condition: The main stress was concentrated in the anterior fibula ligament (A, B), tibialis anterior ligament (C, D), inferior surface of the tibiotalar joint (H), and articular surface of the lateral malleolus talus (K). The maximum stress of the ankle joint was at the proximal end of the tibial anterior ligament (D), which was 23.00 MPa. The minimum stress was at the proximal attachment point (F) of the posterior tibial ligament, which was 3.478 MPa. (4) It is concluded that the finite element model of the ankle joint constructed in this study highly restores the mechanical environment of the ankle joint, clarifies the stress law of the ankle joint during the gait cycle, and provides ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical ankle joint-related diseases and postoperative rehabilitation.

Key words: gait cycle, ankle joint, pre-swing, finite element, biomechanics

CLC Number:

Bai Zixing, Cao Xuhan, Sun Chengyi, Yang Yanjun, Chen Si, Wen Jianmin, Lin Xinxiao, Sun Weidong. Construction and biomechanical analysis of ankle joint finite element model in gait cycle[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2022, 26(9): 1362-1366.

Figures/Tables 6

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