Transversely isotropic poroelastic finite element simulations of the intact and surgically translocated rabbit flexor tendon

摘要

From in vivo experiments on the rabbit flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon, we have established that eliminating compressive stresses in the fibrocartilage (FC) results in significant changes in biomechanical, histomorphometric, and biochemical measures [3,4]. A recent study by our group [2] describes a poro-hyperelastic finite element simulation of the intact FDP tendon under tensile loading, similar to an earlier study by Giori and Carter [1]. However, any definitive correlation between in vivo loads and histo-morphometric changes requires a model which can also capture the effects of surgical interventions. We present some initial results from a transversely-isotropic, poroelastic finite element model of the intact and translocated FDP tendon. Based on these results, certain hypotheses can be advanced regarding tissue adaptation in response to changes in loading state in vivo.