The Effects of External Loads and Muscle Forces on the Knee Joint Ligaments during Walking: A Musculoskeletal Model Study

A musculoskeletal model was developed to analyze the tensions of knee joint ligaments during walking and understand how they change with changes in muscle forces. The included femur, tibia, patella all components cruciate collateral ligaments, quadriceps, hamstrings gastrocnemius muscles. Inputs were forces, estimated by a static optimization approach, external loads (ground reaction forces moments) flexion/extension movement corresponding natural walking. remaining rotational translational movements obtained as result dynamic equilibrium validation done comparing our results literature data. Several simulations carried out sequentially removing different groups. Deactivation quadriceps produced decrease tension anterior ligament (ACL) an increase posterior (PCL). By hamstrings, ACL increased at late swing phase, while PCL force dropped zero. Specific effects observed also medial lateral ligaments. removal muscles only on These demonstrate models can contribute knowledge about complex biomechanical systems joint.