Development of knee joint stability evaluation method considering joint synovial fluid

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K04269
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 20010:Mechanics and mechatronics-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Takeda Ryo 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (90645095)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 膝関節 / 膝関節包 / 膝関節靭帯 / 有限要素法 / 力学試験 / 膝関節安定性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the mechanism behind knee joint stability. First, we constructed a platform for knee joint experiments that can measure the material properties of knee joint tissues. We investigated the effect of joint capsule and synovial fluid on ligament bearing capacity using this platform. As a result, the joint capsule and synovial fluid did not have a significant effect on the bearing capacity of the knee joint at deep flexion angles compared to the ligament fibers. However, it was found that at shallow bending angles may have an affect on the bearing capacity. Finally, a geometrically accurate numerical analysis knee joint model was constructed based on CT image segmentation. It was possible of reproducing the knee joint drawer tests at any flexion angles. As a result the load state of the cruciate ligament fiber bundles, which greatly contributes to the stability of the knee joint, was estimated. The validity was verified by comparison with previous studies.

Free Research Field

機械工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

関節包や関節滑液には靭帯線維束の保護機能や軟骨組織の潤滑機能等が有り，膝関節の安定性に深く関係しているのにも関わらず，その機械的な力学特性を定量的に報告した例は少ない．本研究では実験と数値解析を通して，関節包，関節滑液，半月板，靭帯線維束が膝関節安定性のメカニズムに及ぼす影響を明らかにした．従来，靭帯断裂や変形性関節症の患者の術後経過は定性的なアンケート評価を行う事が多い．そのため，本研究で開発した解析手法を用いることで患者の膝関節の力学状態を定量的に提示することが可能となる．今後解析精度が向上した場合，臨床現場における関節症の診断・手術手法の評価，術後経過の観察に用いることが可能だと考える．