Mechanical properties of soft tissue in tibiofemoral joint after partial meniscectomy of lateral meniscus

Based on MRI images of the normal human knee, 3D finite element models of the normal tibiofemoral joint and after lateral partial meniscectomy were built, then 2 kinds of loads (compression load and compression-torsion-bending load) were applied to these models for the finite element simulation to study the effects of varying degrees of partial meniscectomy on soft tissue in tibiofemoral joint. Results showed that: 1. A strong correlation between the axial load supported by lateral meniscus and the resection amount of lateral meniscus was found, and 40% partial meniscectomy made the load decrease from 60% to 53%; Besides, maximum stress in tibial cartilage and medial/lateral collateral ligaments had significant positive correlations with the resection amount of lateral meniscus. 2. After lateral partial meniscectomy, the maximum tensile stress in anterior/ posterior cruciate ligament both increased, and corresponding maximum increments were 11.8% for 25% partial meniscectomy and 18.5% for 5% partial meniscectomy. 3. Change of maximum stress in lateral meniscus and femoral cartilage was complicated, not presenting positive correlations with the resection amount of lateral meniscus. These results can provide technical data and methods for improving the therapy of lateral partial meniscectomy.