Nonlinear viscoelastic material property estimation of lower extremity residual limb tissues

Axisymmetric nonlinear finite-element analysis was used to simulate force-relaxation and creep data obtained during in vivo indentation of the residual limb soft tissues of six individuals with trans-tibial amputation [1]. The finite-element models facilitated estimation of an appropriate set of nonlinear viscoelastic material coefficients of extended James-Green-Simpson material formulation for bulk soft tissue at discrete, clinically relevant test locations. The results indicate that over 90% of the experimental data can be simulated using the two-term viscoelastic Prony series extension of James-Green-Simpson material formulation. This phenomenological material formulation could not, however, predict the creep response from relaxation experiments, nor the relaxation response from creep experiments [2-5]. The estimated material coefficients varied with test location and subject indicating that these coefficients cannot be readily extrapolated to other sites or individuals.