Optimization of quadriceps force distribution for minimization of patellofemoral contact pressure during a squat

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a common knee disorder in humans and quadriceps muscles play an important role in altering pressure distribution on the retropatellar region during a desired motion. The objective of this study was to develop a scheme for the computational knee model to calculate retropatellar stresses and optimize pressure distribution using a cost function to minimize stress on the patellofemoral joint during a squat. Optimizations for maximum and minimum pressure distribution in two cases were analyzed and compared. The designed scheme was successful in calculating the muscle distribution constants, identifying the muscle which influence the stress on the patella and producing an optimized solution by altering the muscle force distribution constants using the cost function in both cases. Vastus Lateralis (VL) has the highest muscle distribution constant with a major influence on the contact pressures. The results are in agreement with existing relevant studies.