Title: A simulation and analysis of fluid therapy for ageing and damaged knees

Authors: Vineet R. Tiruvadi; A. Sarma; T.S. Ravigururajan

Addresses: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA; Presently at University of Pennsylvania. ' McQuay International, Staunton, Virginia, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS-67260-0133, USA

Abstract: In recent years, synovial fluid therapy has been used in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. This paper outlines a simulation and analysis of the fluid therapy, optimising the procedure for patients at various stages of the disease and activity level. The cartilage is simulated as a biphasic model involving fluid–structure interaction, and FEM is employed in simulating and analysing the problem. The model is able to predict the optimum frequencies for injection therapy. More interestingly, the seepage velocity varies with the level of damage, and in some cases walking causing more fluid to leak than running, thus necessitating more frequent injections.

Keywords: finite element analysis; FEA; synovial fluid therapy; damaged knees; articular joint; hyaluronic acid; osteoarthritis; simulation; modelling; ageing knees; injection therapy; seepage velocity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2011.042498

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2011 Vol.7 No.1, pp.57 - 72

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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