Patient-specific biomechanical simulation model of total knee arthroplasty

Simulation models of the knee play an important role in achieving a better understanding of knee biomechanics after total knee arthroplasty. They enable investigations on morpho-functional relationships in total knee arthroplasty as well as the testing and evaluation of different existing implant designs. Such simulation studies are an essential complementary mean for comparison with experimental parameter studies using our knee simulator. Therefore, a patient-specific model was developed from scratch in the commercial multibody dynamic software AnyBody. The model is based on data available in the clinical workflow and evaluated with in vivo force measurements. The data preparation and interface to AnyBody was partially automated, allowing a convenient model adaption. As a conclusion, the model is offering the opportunity to predict and study knee biomechanics; it has the potential for integration into clinical workflow and may encourage improvements in implant design and surgical outcome after total knee arthroplasty.