Three-dimensional deformation and stress distribution of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee (Results of model analyses and visual simulation)

This paper describes a new structurally-motivated phenomenological approach. Such assumption was made that the ACL can be idealized as being composed of a homogeneous matrix in which two non-interacting families of densely distributed extensible fibers are embedded. Then a constitutive equation for the ACL composite was formulated. Using the finite element method, the visual simulations were performed in terms of three-dimensional change in shape, stress distribution and intraligaments' stresses, as a function of knee angle. Variations in stress due to tibial anterior-posterior displacements were also introduced. All the results were compared and discussed with the previous studies, thereby verifying the validity and usefulness of our model.