A Validated Open-Source Shoulder Finite Element Model and Investigation of the Effect of Analysis Precision

Understanding the loads and stresses on different tissues within the shoulder complex is crucial for preventing joint injury and developing shoulder implants. Finite element (FE) models of the shoulder joint can be helpful in describing these forces and the biomechanics of the joint. Currently, there are no validated FE models of the intact shoulder available in the public domain. This study aimed to develop and validate a shoulder FE model, then make the model available to the orthopaedic research community. Publicly available medical images of the Visible Human Project male subject’s right shoulder were used to generate the model geometry. Material properties from the literature were applied to the different tissues. The model simulated abduction in the scapular plane. Simulated glenohumeral (GH) contact force was compared to in vivo data from the literature, then further compared to other in vitro experimental studies. Output variable results were within one standard deviation of the mean in vivo experimental values of the GH contact force in 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, and 45° of abduction. Furthermore, a comparison among different analysis precision in the Abaqus/Explicit platform was made. The complete shoulder model is available for download at github.com/OSEL-DAM/ShoulderFiniteElementModel.