3D finite element model of human knee injuries in the traffic accident.

To explore the injury mechanism of the human knee in a traffic accident by establishing a 3D finite element (FE) model.The FE model, composed of femur, tibia, fibula, patella, meniscus, knee ligaments and surrounding soft tissues, was reconstructed by CT scanning data from a male volunteer. Validation was performed by the lateral impact simulation, and the stress and strain results were obtained to be compared with those previously reported for injury prediction.The results derived from the FE model were found to be similar with those previously reported, most of the ligaments and meniscus wounded at 40 m/s collision, which was readily observed.The simulation results generated by FE model can be effectively used for the injury mechanism analysis of initial contact.