Effects of Early Postoperative Changes in Graft Viscoelasticity on Stress Distributions Within the Knee Joint Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
10.16156/j.1004-7220.2025.05.006
- VernacularTitle:前交叉韧带重建术后短期内移植体黏弹性变化对膝关节应力分布的影响
- Author:
Zizhan LIAN
1
;
Bin SUN
;
Shanjiang YU
;
Yichen YAN
;
Qinqin YANG
;
Bin YANG
;
Jie YAO
Author Information
1. 生物力学与力生物学教育部重点实验室;高端医疗装备与器械创新及转化工业和信息化部重点实验室;国家医学攻关(医工结合方向)高端医疗装备与器械产教融合创新平台;北京航空航天大学生物与医学工程学院,北京 100191
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction;
graft;
viscoelasticity;
finite element analysis
- From:
Journal of Medical Biomechanics
2025;40(5):1129-1135
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate stress distributions of the knee joint at 0 and 15th day after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR)under a compressive force through the axis of the femoral shaft onto the proximal femur.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)finite element model of the human knee joint incorporating viscoelastic material properties was developed.The one-dimensional(1D)Prony series viscoelastic constitutive model parameters for articular cartilage,menisci,ligaments,and anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)grafts were determined by fitting experimental creep curves.The viscoelastic parameters of ACL grafts at 15th day after ACLR surgery were extrapolated.Finite element simulations were then performed to analyze the von Mises stress distributions in knee ligaments,ACL grafts,articular cartilage,and menisci under 1.5 kN vertical downward compressive load applied to the femur,with loading durations of 1 second and 600 seconds.Results At 15th day after ACLR surgery,the initial relaxation modulus and equilibrium modulus of human ACL grafts remained elevated compared to native ACL tissues,resulting in a significantly higher stress concentration within the grafts relative to healthy ACL.Despite the compromised mechanical properties of the grafts after ACLR surgery,the vertical downward compressive force applied to the femur under both short-term(1s)and prolonged(600 s)loading durations,exhibited a minimal biomechanical impact on articular cartilage and meniscal structures.Conclusions Following ACLR,vertical compressive loads during weight-bearing rehabilitation exercises such as standing demonstrate minimal impact on articular cartilage and meniscus,while promoting fibrous regeneration of the graft.This renders such exercises a prudent early-stage rehabilitation strategy.Graft preparation requires balanced consideration of elastic and viscous properties,with grafts exhibiting higher relaxation modulus and viscosity coefficient than healthy ACL proving more effective in maintaining early postoperative knee stability.
