Enhanced human joint simulation model

A method of constructing a simulated anatomical joint, comprising:

• gathering patient specific data from a natural anatomical joint to be simulated;
• constructing artificial bones having articular surfaces corresponding to articular surfaces of bones in the natural anatomical joint to be simulated using the patient specific data;
• and
• connecting the artificial bones in an arrangement corresponding to the natural anatomical joint to be simulated with artificial ligaments and adjustably tensioning the artificial ligaments with respective ferrules threaded into at least one artificial bone from among the artificial bones to simulate stresses in the natural anatomical joint,
• wherein the respective ferrules are threaded into the at least one artificial bone such that the respective ferrules are disposed within a respective opening of the at least one artificial bone.

A method of assessing a surgical intervention on an anatomical joint, comprising:

• observing a simulated joint including:
• a first artificial bone having a first articular surface,
• a second artificial bone having a second articular surface matable to the first articular surface to simulate the anatomical joint, and
• artificial ligaments connecting the first artificial bone to the second artificial bone such that the first articular surface is proximate to the second articular surface, the artificial ligaments connected to the first artificial bone and second artificial bone and adjustably tensioned by respective ferrules threaded into the first artificial bone such that each respective ferrule is disposed within a respective opening of the first artificial bone to simulate stresses in the anatomical joint corresponding to the artificial bones, wherein
• the first and second artificial bones are produced according to a patient specific data gathered from the anatomical joint such that the first and second artificial bones reflect a patient specific deformity on an articular surface of the anatomical joint;
• resecting the simulated joint having the patient specific deformity on a simulated articular surface in accordance with a first intervention;
• implanting a joint prosthesis onto the resected simulated joint to form a simulated post-intervention joint;
• and
• assessing the first intervention by observing the joint stability of the simulated post-intervention joint based on the designated tension.