Simulation of Flexion and Extension of the Human Knee Joint with DADS
Diploma ThesisThe computer simulation tool "DADS" was chosen to build a computer model of the human leg and knee joint. "DADS" is usually used to predict the behaviour of single or multibody mechanical systems. It was adapted to biomechanical tasks by implementing a mathematical model of muscle-tendinous units which represented each muscle by a Hill-type contractile element, a series elastic element and a parallel elastic element. The muscle path was defined by two or more points. At knee angles where the muscle started to wrap around the bone surface additional points were added to the path to take into account the change of line of action.
Whereas the leg model was fully three-dimensional, the knee joint
was modelled in the sagittal plane. The real femur-tibia kinematic
was approximated by a crossed four-bar linkage, whose rigid bars
were the model equivalent to the cruciate ligaments in the real
knee. A planar contact element was used to characterize the
patellofemoral joint. Regardless of its simplicity the knee model
could simulate the actual behaviour of the real knee joint quite
well.
It was found that the deflection of the quadriceps tendon significally
influences the relationship between quadriceps and patellar ligament
force at knee angles beyond 80o.
To examine the force distribution between knee flexors and extensors
a flexion of the hip was simulated while keeping the leg extended.
As soon as the hip was flexed to 46o the moment induced
by the fully activated quadriceps muscles was equal to the passive
flexion moment. At greater angles it was impossible to keep the
leg extended by active muscle force.
The leg model as a whole was verified by simulating a dynamometric
exercise. The calculated knee moment compared favorably with
experimental results and similar simulations.