Simulation of Ridge Formation in Cortical Bone near the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Insertion: Bone Remodeling due to Interstitial Fluid Flow

摘要

The ridge formation in the cortical bone near the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertion has been simulated based on bone remodeling due to interstitial fluid flow. Three-dimensional (3-D) data of cortical bone at the distal end of the femur were obtained from a computer topography image of a human knee joint, and were transformed to a 3-D voxel model consisting of voxel elements of 500 × 500 × 500 μm in size. A finite element analysis software (ABAQUS) was utilized to determine the interstitial fluid flow in the cortical bone in response to the application of ACL tensile force, tibial compressive force, and patellar compressive force. Bone remodeling analysis was repeated until equilibrium in which a new voxel element was added on a surface where local flow rate was higher than predefined thresholds. Results revealed that ridge formation occurred in response to the force application and the ridge structure was dependent on the thresholds of interstitial fluid flow rate.