Finite Element Analysis for Evaluation of Internal Pressure Ulcer Load Mechanical Responses on in the Buttock Structure in a True Sitting Posture: Development and Validation

Dohyung Lim, Ph.D^b, Fang Lin, DSc^a,b,c, Ronald Hendrix, MD^e, Mohsen Makhsous, PhD^a-d

^aSensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Depts of ^bPhysical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences,
^cPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation, ^dOrthopaedic Surgery and ^eRadiology, Northwestern University

ABSTRACT

The interface pressure is currently the only available clinical tool to diagnosis and treatment strategies evaluate internal buttock pressure load mechanical responses in of buttock structure in seated individuals to assess the risk of developing for pressure ulcer (PU) . but However, it provides little information about the internal load distribution mechanical responses . Recently, Finite element (FE) model allowing allows detailed investigation of distribution of internal mechanical responses load distribution responses in deep tissues of buttocks . The objective was to develop and validate a comprehensive 3 D FE model to evaluate mechanical responses in the deep tissues of the buttock -thigh s subjected to sitting load. The FE model was developed for a true seated individual and validated quantitatively and qualitatively through comparing with its output to actual displacement obtained from MRI images and clinical relevancies . The displacement for the skin predicted by FE analysis was 0.8 times less than the actual displacement from MRI images.

KEY WORDS :

Finite Element, Pressure Ulcer, Buttock s , MRI