Simulations of mechanical quantities in the knee joint via a nonlinear finite element study with a mixture model for cartilage and meniscus

With a finite element model a parameter study on an axisymmetric model of the knee joint is performed. The tibial cartilage layer and the meniscus are described with biphasic mixtures, while frictionless sliding of the meniscus between femur and tibia is possible. The parameter study shows only a small difference between models with a permeable and an impermeable surface, Anisotropy of the meniscus reduces the stress in the tip of the meniscus considerably. A larger Young’s odulus of the tibia shows an increase of the stress in the tip of the meniscus