Using Force and Kinematic Driven Finite Element Models to Analyze Contact Pressure Distributions on the Tibial Plateau

Finite element (FE) models have become an effective tool in studying soft tissue behavior in the knee joint, including meniscal translation and deformation, as well as articular cartilage contact [1–2]. These models are also useful in osteoarthritis research and implant design [3–4]. Our group has previously used a kinematic-driven FE analysis to study the effect of weightbearing on the load distribution of tibio-menisco-femoral contact using MR imaging [5].