Biomechanical Approach for the Development and Simulation of a Musculoskeletal Model of the Ankle

Abstract

Estimation of individual muscle forces during human movement can provide insight into neural control and tissue loading and can thus contribute to improved diagnosis and management of both neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Direct measurement of muscle forces is generally not feasible in a clinical setting, and non-invasive methods based on musculoskeletal modeling should, therefore, be considered. The current state of the art in clinical movement analysis is that resultant joint torques can be reliably estimated from motion data and external forces (inverse dynamic analysis). The purpose of this paper consists in developing and simulating a biomechanical model of the lower limb, more precisely, of the foot during its movement. In this paper, we are interested in the calculation of the ankle joint. First, we have studied the muscular length variation as a function of the variation of the flexion angle. Then, we focus on the determination of the muscular force produced by muscles and involved in the flexion movement and the foot extension. Finally, we have cited the findings and the interpretations appropriate to the results obtained.