2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (33): 5259-5264

Biomechanical finite element analysis of lower tibiofibular ligament

Ding Junwen, Mi Tao, Li Zeqing, Ren Rong, Tang Baoming, Luo Wei, Li Zhaowei   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The lower tibiofibular ligament plays a great role in maintaining the stability of the ankle. Now more and more scholars begin to pay attention to the biomechanical research of the lower tibiofibular ligament, but there are few reports on the biomechanical research of the lower tibiofibular anterior ligament, interosseous ligament, lower tibiofibular posterior ligament, and transverse ligament alone.  
OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional finite element simulation model of ankle joint including lower tibiofibular ligament, distal tibiofibula, and talus and study the effect of lower tibiofibular ligament on ankle joint stability.
METHODS: Based on the image information of computed tomography, combined with Mimics software and Geomagic Studio software, the ankle joint simulation model including tibia, fibula, talus, and some cartilages was established, and then the model was imported into the finite element analysis software Abaqus, so as to construct the three-dimensional finite element model of ankle joint including ligament and other soft tissues. Finally, the specific changes of stress distribution and displacement of anterior tibiofibular ligament, interosseous ligament, posterior tibiofibular ligament, and transverse ligament under four different types of stress environments were simulated.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The posterior tibiofibular ligament was the most stressed under internal rotation load. Under external rotation load, the stress of transverse tibiofibular ligament was the largest, followed by anterior tibiofibular ligament. Under vertical + internal rotation load, the stress of posterior tibiofibular ligament was the largest, but the maximum stress value increased compared with simple internal rotation load. Under the vertical + external rotation load, the stress of the lower tibiofibular transverse ligament was the largest, followed by the lower tibiofibular anterior ligament, but the maximum stress value increased compared with the simple external rotation load. (2) It is concluded that posterior tibiofibular ligament plays a prominent role in preventing ankle pronation injury. The lower tibiofibular transverse ligament and anterior ligament play a prominent role in preventing ankle external rotation injury.
Key words: lower tibiofibula, ligament, biomechanics, finite element analysis, ankle joint, three-dimensional finite element model, biomechanics