Sensitivity of Finite Element Models to Relationship Between T2 Relaxation and Modulus in Articular Cartilage

TL;DR

This study investigates how uncertainties in the relationship between T2 MRI biomarkers and cartilage modulus affect finite element model predictions, highlighting the importance of accurate modulus ranges.

Contribution

It evaluates the sensitivity of cartilage FE models to variations in the T2-modulus relationship, emphasizing the impact of modulus shifts on stress and strain predictions.

Findings

Modulus shifts cause significant changes in stress and strain predictions.

Slope variations in the T2-modulus relationship have minimal impact.

Using physiologically relevant modulus ranges is supported for accurate modeling.

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.