PhD Fellow Joose Peitola

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease with a high prevalence worldwide, characterised by cartilage deterioration, joint pain and functional impairment. Computational modelling is a widely used method in estimating the onset and progression of KOA. Therefore, in his project, Joose will investigate the effects of different modelling software and rehabilitation exercises on cartilage mechanical responses and potential degradation. He will also enhance an existing musculoskeletal–finite element (MSFE) modelling workflow for efficiency and to be more subject-specific. 

The MSFE workflow utilises the estimated muscle forces, knee kinematics and knee kinetics from MS modelling as inputs to estimate mechanical cartilage responses, such as maximum principal stresses and strains and fluid pressure. To assess the effects of using different conventional modelling software in the MSFE workflow, Joose will compare the results with two widely used MS software (AnyBody and OpenSim).

Next, Joose will implement new subject-specific properties of tissues into the workflow and utilise atlas-based methods for creating the models rapidly, later comparing the estimations with clinical in vivo data collected at Aalborg University Hospital.

This project will offer new insights into the effects of gait and conservative interventions on knee joint contact forces, cartilage mechanical responses and osteoarthritis progression. The rapid MSFE model developed in this PhD project will bring computational tools closer to the clinical environment.

Joose holds a Master of Science degree from the Department of Technical Physics, Faculty of Science and Forestry from the University of Eastern Finland, and has experience in signal and data analysis. You can read about Joose by visiting his profile here.