Sensitivity of finite element models to relationship between T2 relaxation and modulus in articular cartilage.

Abstract

Correlating articular cartilage material properties to quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers is a powerful approach to biofidelic finite element models. However, subject-specific relationships between imaging biomarkers such as T₂ and material properties like dynamic modulus are uncertain. To evaluate the sensitivity of finite element models to this uncertainty, we shifted the slope and intercept of a linear T₂-dynamic modulus relationship used to define cartilage properties. Modulus shifts led to notable percent changes in the top 1% of calculated stress and strain, while modulating slope had a negligible impact, together supporting the use of physiologically relevant moduli ranges in subject-specific models.