A 2D finite element model of a medial collateral ligament reconstruction

A 2-D finite element (FE) model was developed of a lapine medial collateral ligament (MCL) autograft-bone complex with the semitendinosus tendon (ST) as graft tissue, to determine the new stress states at two insertional geometries: 90 degrees femoral insertion and 450 tibial insertion. Cancelleous bone, cortical bone, marrow, meniscus, the overlying skin, suture material and the tendon with its crimp and its poroelastic properties have all been incorporated into this model in which the geometry was derived from measurements taken of the autograft complex immediately after surgery. Histological studies done in parallel with the finite element modelling will assist in correlating the biological changes of the autograft with the mechancial environment predicted by the FE model.