The development, calibration and validation of a numerical total knee replacement kinematics simulator considering laxity and unconstrained flexion motions

Abstract

Kinematics testing is essential during the development of total knee replacement (TKR) designs. Although computational analysis cannot replace physical testing, it offers repeatability and consistency at a much lower cost and shorter time, making it an excellent complement to experiments. Previous numerical models have been limited by several factors: the validity of the models is usually only considered for a single TKR design, friction models are typically overly simplified and the determination of simulation parameters is often inadequate, or tedious and expensive. The objective of this study is to develop, calibrate and validate a TKR kinematics simulation considering multiple TKR geometries, an accurate friction model and simulation parameters determined using a systematic optimisation method. The calibrated model was able to predict TKR kinematics for different TKR geometries, and is ideal for screening new implant designs, reducing the number of experiments required at the design stage.

Systematic review of computational modelling for biomechanics analysis of total knee replacement

“…The optimisation of implant design and preclinical planning is the ultimate goal of this research, but very limited research focuses on it. Only Willing and Kim [29, 56, 57] developed several serial parametric studies on geometrical optimisation with consideration of wear, stress, pressure, and laxity of TKR based on MSM. A large design space (14 design parameters) was explored in this optimisation.…”