Method for creating a computer model of a joint for treatment planning

A method of developing a treatment plan for treating a joint of a patient comprising:

• identifying at least one ligament of a joint of a patient carrying a load at a predefined position of the joint;
• constructing, with the use of a computer, a computer model of the joint of the patient having ligament models corresponding to the identified at least one ligament, wherein each of the ligament models is constructed having at least one fiber based on a predefined slack length, and wherein the predefined slack length is determined based on the load at the predefined position;
• outputting on a display operatively connected to the computer at least one of forces and motions predicted by the computer model of the joint as it simulates a range of motion;
• and
• developing a treatment plan for surgically treating the joint based on the at least one of forces and motions predicted by the computer model.

An apparatus comprising a processor, a display, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes computer instructions executable by the processor to:

• receive an identification of at least one ligament of a joint of a patient carrying a load at a predefined position;
• create a computer model of a patient specific joint that includes:
• a first bone model,
• a second bone model, and
• a ligament assembly model constraining the first and second bone models, wherein the ligament assembly model includes ligaments corresponding to the identification of at least one ligament each constructed having at least one fiber having a predefined slack length, and wherein the predefined slack length is determined based on the load at the predefined position;
• simulate a range of motion of the computer model to determine at least one of forces and motions predicted as the joint travels through the range of motion;
• and
• output on the display the computer model of the joint and the predicted at least one of forces and motions of the joint generated by the computer model.