| dc.description.abstract | Computer-aided tissue engineering has led to the production of subject-specific, in vivo
models of joints which provide valuable information regarding the causes and treatment
of joint disease. There is a lack of models for complex joints such as the human hand
and wrist which consider all comprising tissues, whilst achieving convergence using
only physiological loading conditions. This paper aims to create a holistic, subjectspecific,
three-dimensional, in vivo model of the hand and wrist, with physiological
loading conditions in order to better understand the joint’s behaviour. A threedimensional
finite element model of the hand and wrist was constructed using
ABAQUS based on individualised Magnetic Resonance Images. The MR image data
were converted into a solid model using the medical imaging software SCANIP. Physiological loading conditions during gripping were applied to the hand in neutral
position, based on available references. The results show that the maximum von Mises
stress was located on the scaphoid (596.2 MPa). A majority of model elements (96.8%)
had stresses which were within the expected physiological range of up to 50 MPa. The
average bone von Mises stress was 17.16 MPa. The second digit was discovered to be
the least integral to gripping, and the first, third and fourth, the most integral. The
extensor hood was found to be most prone to tearing on the second and third digits. The scaphoid was the most likely to fracture and the most important for stability as it
plays a vital role in preventing ‘zig-zag’ collapse of the wrist. The lunate was revealed
to be more integral to stability than the capitate. The distribution of stress in the
phalanges and metacarpals highlight the importance of the thenar eminence,
hypothenar and flexor pollicis muscles to gripping. The distinct types of soft tissue were
not constructed separately, instead, they were all assumed to be one unique bulk of
soft tissue embedding the 27 hand and wrist bones. The cartilage layers were modelled
in each joint to simulate the artiuclating behaviour of the human hand joints while the
ligaments transfer the loads from one bone to another. The model was verified by
examining the difference between the input and output forces; a comparatively small
difference (9.9%) indicated that the model had converged reasonably well. The model
was shown to be exhibiting quasi-static behaviour because kinetic energy was
negligible compared to internal strain energy. Thus, the model was simplified by
negating time and inertial mass. The model was validated by comparison to existing
literature [1]. | en_GB |
