Analysis of the human locomotor system using rigid-body musculoskeletal models has increased in the biomechanical community with the objective of studying muscle activations of different movements. Simultaneously, the finite element method has emerged as a complementary approach for analyzing the mechanical behavior of tissues. This study presents an integrative biomechanical framework for gait analysis by linking a musculoskeletal model and a subject-specific finite element model of the pelvis. To investigate its performance, a convergence study was performed and its sensitivity to the use of non-subject-specific material properties was studied. The total hip joint force estimated by the rigid musculoskeletal model and by the finite element model showed good agreement, suggesting that the integrative approach estimates adequately (in shape and magnitude) the hip total contact force. Previous studies found movements of up to 1.4 mm in the anterior–posterior direction, for single leg stance. These results are comparable with the displacement values found in this study: 0–0.5 mm in the sagittal axis. Maximum von Mises stress values of approximately 17 MPa were found in the pelvic bone. Comparing this results with a previous study of our group, the new findings show that the introduction of muscular boundary conditions and the flexion–extension movement of the hip reduce the regions of high stress and distributes more uniformly the stress across the pelvic bone. Thus, it is thought that muscle force has a relevant impact in reducing stresses in pelvic bone during walking of the finite element model proposed in this study. Future work will focus on including other deformable structures, such as the femur and the tibia, and subject-specific material properties.
VicecontiMOlsenSNolteLet al. Extracting clinically relevant data from finite element simulations. Clin Biomech2005; 20(5): 451–454.
2.
TawhaiMBischoffJEinsteinDet al. Multiscale modeling in computational biomechanics: determining computational priorities and addressing current challenges. IEEE Eng Med Biol2009; 28(3): 41–49.
3.
ErdemirAMcLeanSHerzogWet al. Model-based estimation of muscle forces exerted during movements. Clin Biomech2007; 22(2): 131–154.
4.
LundMEde ZeeMAndersenMSet al. On validation of multibody musculoskeletal models. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2012; 226(2): 82–94.
5.
DumasRMoissenetFGasparuttoXet al. Influence of joint models on lower-limb musculo-tendon forces and three-dimensional joint reaction forces during gait. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2012; 226(2): 146–160.
6.
RaveraEPCrespoMJBraidotAAA. Estimation of muscle forces in gait using a simulation of the electromyographic activity and numerical optimization. Comput Method Biomech2014; 19(1): 1–12.
7.
TaddeiFVicecontiMManfriniMet al. Mechanical strength of a femoral reconstruction in paediatric oncology: a finite element study. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2003; 217(2): 111–119.
8.
StopsAWilcoxRJinZ.Computational modelling of the natural hip: a review of finite element and multibody simulations. Comput Method Biomech2012; 15(9): 963–979.
9.
FreutelMSchmidtHDürselenLet al. Finite element modeling of soft tissues: material models, tissue interaction and challenges. Clin Biomech2014; 29(4): 363–372.
10.
MukherjeeKGuptaS.The effects of musculoskeletal loading regimes on numerical evaluations of acetabular component. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2016; 230: 918–929.
11.
AteshianGAFriedmanMH.Integrative biomechanics: a paradigm for clinical applications of fundamental mechanics. J Biomech2009; 42(10): 1444–1451.
12.
DalstraMHuiskesRvan ErningL.Development and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvic bone. J Biomech Eng1995; 117(3): 272–278.
13.
WeiHWSunSSJaoSHEet al. The influence of mechanical properties of subchondral plate, femoral head and neck on dynamic stress distribution of the articular cartilage. Med Eng Phys2005; 27(4): 295–304.
14.
GeraldesDMModeneseLPhillipsATM. Consideration of multiple load cases is critical in modelling orthotropic bone adaptation in the femur. Biomech Model Mechan2016; 15(5): 1029–1042.
15.
PhillipsATVilletteCCModeneseL.Femoral bone mesoscale structural architecture prediction using musculoskeletal and finite element modelling. Int Biomech2015; 2(1): 43–61.
16.
AndersonAEPetersCLTuttleBDet al. Subject-specific finite element model of the pelvis: development, validation and sensitivity studies. J Biomech Eng2005; 127(3): 364–373.
17.
AndersonAEEllisBMaasSet al. Validation of finite element predictions of cartilage contact pressure in the human hip joint. J Biomech Eng2008; 130(5): 1–25.
18.
HarrisMAndersonAEHenakCet al. Finite element prediction of cartilage contact stresses in normal human hips. J Orthop Res2012; 30(7): 1133–1139.
19.
HenakCRCarruthEDAndersonAEet al. Finite element predictions of cartilage contact mechanics in hips with retroverted acetabula. Osteoarthr Cartilage2013; 21(10): 1522–1529.
20.
PhillipsTMPankajPHowieCRet al. Finite element modelling of the pelvis: inclusion of muscular and ligamentous boundary conditions. Med Eng Phys2007; 29(7): 739–748.
21.
YoshidaHFaustAWilckensJet al. Three-dimensional dynamic hip contact area and pressure distribution during activities of daily living. J Biomech2006; 39(11): 1996–2004.
22.
AbrahamCLMaasSWeissJet al. A new discrete element analysis method for predicting hip joint contact stresses. J Biomech2013; 46(6): 1121–1127.
23.
BlemkerSSDelpSL.Three-dimensional representation of complex muscle architectures and geometries. Ann Biomed Eng2005; 33(5): 661–673.
24.
BlemkerSSDelpSL.Rectus femoris and vastus intermedius fiber excursions predicted by three-dimensional muscle models. J Biomech2006; 39(8): 1383–1391.
25.
HuXBlemkerSS.Musculoskeletal simulation can help explain selective muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve2015; 52(2): 174–182.
26.
FernandezJWSartoriMLloydDGet al. Bone remodelling in the natural acetabulum is influenced by muscle force-induced bone stress. Int J Numer Meth Bio2014; 30(1): 28–41.
27.
KoolstraJHvan EijdenTMGJ. Combined finite-element and rigid-body analysis of human jaw joint dynamics. J Biomech2005; 38(12): 2431–2439.
28.
HalloranJPErdemirAvan den BogertAJ.Adaptive surrogate modeling for efficient coupling of musculoskeletal control and tissue deformation models. J Biomech Eng2009; 131(1): 1–16.
29.
HalloranJPAckermannMErdemirAet al. Concurrent musculoskeletal dynamics and finite element analysis predicts altered gait patterns to reduce foot tissue loading. J Biomech2010; 43(14): 2810–2815.
30.
HenningerHReeseSAndersonAet al. Validation of computational models in biomechanics. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2010; 224(7): 801–812.
31.
AndersonAEllisBWeissJ.Verification, validation and sensitivity studies in computational biomechanics. Comput Method Biomech2007; 10: 171–184.
32.
DavisRBÕunpuuSTyburskiDet al. A gait analysis data collection and reduction technique. Hum Movement Sci1991; 10(5): 575–587.
33.
StegemanDFHermensHJ.Standards for surface electromyography: the European project “Surface EMG for the non-invasive assessment of muscles” (SENIAM). Technical Report, 1999, www.seniam.org
34.
DelpSLAndersonFCArnoldASet al. OpenSim: open-source software to create and analyze dynamic simulations of movement. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng2007; 54(11): 1940–1950.
35.
AndersonFCPandyMG.A dynamic optimization solution for vertical jumping in three dimensions. Comput Method Biomech1999; 2(3): 201–231.
36.
DelpSLLoanJPHoyMGet al. An interactive graphics-based model of the lower extremity to study orthopaedic surgical procedures. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng1990; 37: 757–767.
37.
KainzHHajekMModeneseLet al. Reliability of functional and predictive methods to estimate the hip joint centre in human motion analysis in healthy adults. Gait Posture2017; 53: 179–184.
38.
ThelenDGAndersonFCDelpSL.Generating dynamic simulations of movement using computed muscle control. J Biomech2003; 36(3): 321–328.
39.
Van ArkelRJModeneseLPhillipsATMet al. Hip abduction can prevent posterior edge loading of hip replacements. J Orthop Res2013; 31(8): 1172–1179.
40.
HamnerSRDelpSL.Muscle contributions to fore-aft and vertical body mass center accelerations over a range of running speeds. J Biomech2013; 46(4): 780–787.
41.
HicksJLUchidaTKSethAet al. Is my model good enough? Best practices for verification and validation of musculoskeletal models and simulations of human movement. J Biomech Eng2015; 137(2): 1–24.
42.
ErdemirAGuessTMHalloranJet al. Considerations for reporting finite element analysis studies in biomechanics. J Biomech2012; 45(4): 625–633.
43.
MartelliSKershMEPandyMG.Sensitivity of femoral strain calculations to anatomical scaling errors in musculoskeletal models of movement. J Biomech2015; 48(13): 3615–3624.
44.
TaubinG.A signal processing approach to fair surface design. In: Proceedings of the 22nd annual conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques—SIGGRAPH’95, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 6–11 August 1995, pp.351–358. New York: IEEE.
45.
AndersonAEllisBMaasSet al. Effects of idealized joint geometry on finite element predictions of cartilage contact stresses in the hip. J Biomech2010; 43(7): 1351–1357.
46.
GeuzaineCRemacleJ.Gmsh: a 3D finite element mesh generator with built-in pre- and post-processing facilities. Int J Numer Meth Eng2009; 79: 1309–1331.
47.
WuGSieglerSAllardPet al. ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate system of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion: part I: ankle, hip, and spine. J Biomech2002; 35: 543–548.
48.
WinterDA.Biomechanics and motor control of human movement. Vol. 2, 4 ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009.
49.
HarringtonMEZavatskyABLawsonSEet al. Prediction of the hip joint centre in adults, children, and patients with cerebral palsy based on magnetic resonance imaging. J Biomech2007; 40(3): 595–602.
50.
SangeuxMPilletHSkalliW.Which method of hip joint centre localisation should be used in gait analysis?Gait Posture2014; 40(1): 20–25.
51.
LaddAJCKinneyJH. Numerical errors and uncertainties in finite-element modeling of trabecular bone. J Biomech1998; 31(10): 941–945.
52.
WeißgraeberPvd WallHKhabbazehSet al. Effect of the lateral rotators on load transfer in the human hip joint revealed by mechanical analysis. Ann Anat2012; 194(5): 461–466.
53.
HadidAEpsteinYShabshinNet al. Development of a computational model for stress fractures in humans. In: Proceedings of the 11th international symposium, computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 3–6 April 2013, pp.56–57.
54.
HenakCRAteshianGAWeissJA.Finite element prediction of transchondral stress and strain in the human hip. J Biomech Eng2014; 136(2): 021021.
55.
BrownTDDiGioiaAMBrownD.A contact-coupled finite element analysis of the natural adult hip. J Biomech1984; 17(6): 437–448.
56.
RussellMEShivannaKHGroslandNMet al. Cartilage contact pressure elevations in dysplastic hips: a chronic overload model. J Orthop Surg Res2006; 1: 6.
57.
CheginiSBeckMFergusonSJ.The effects of impingement and dysplasia on stress distributions in the hip joint during sitting and walking: a finite element analysis. J Orthop Res2009; 27(2): 195–201.
58.
HuaXLiJJinZet al. The contact mechanics and occurrence of edge loading in modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement during daily activities. Med Eng Phys2016; 38(6): 518–525.
59.
MaasSEllisBJAteshianGAet al. FEBio: finite elements for biomechanics. J Biomech Eng2012; 134(1): 011005.
60.
MengQJinZFisherJet al. Comparison between FEBio and Abaqus for biphasic contact problems. Proc IMechE, Part H: J Engineering in Medicine2013; 227(9): 1009–1019.
61.
AthanasiouK.Comparative study of the intrinsic mechanical properties of the human acetabular and femoral head cartilage. J Orthop Res1994; 12(23): 340–349.
62.
BergmannGDeuretzbacherGHellerMet al. Hip contact forces and gait patterns from routine activities. J Biomech2001; 34(7): 859–871.
63.
ModeneseLPhillipsATM. Prediction of hip contact forces and muscle activations during walking at different speeds. Multibody Syst Dyn2011; 28(1–2): 157–168.
64.
WalheimGGSelvikG.Mobility of the pubic symphysis. In vivo measurements with an electromechanic method and a roentgen stereophotogrammetric method. Clin Orthop Relat Res1984; 191: 129–135.
65.
RaveraECrespoMGuarnieriFet al. Stress in human pelvis throughout the gait cycle: development, evaluation and sensitivity studies of a finite element model. In: Proceedings of the VI Latin American congress on biomedical engineering, Paraná, Argentina, 29–31 October 2014, vol. 49, pp.246–249. Cham: Springer.
