Biomechanical Modeling and Pressure Response Analysis of the Lower Leg Using the Finite Element Method: Evaluating the Effect of Soft Tissue Mechanical Properties

Ghanbari, Atefeh; Valipouri, Afsaneh; Zarrebini, Mohammad; Jamshidi, Nima; Kiani Harchegani, Rahmatollah

doi:10.48302/jtp.2026.574844.1348

Biomechanical Modeling and Pressure Response Analysis of the Lower Leg Using the Finite Element Method: Evaluating the Effect of Soft Tissue Mechanical Properties

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Atefeh Ghanbari ¹

Afsaneh Valipouri ²

Mohammad Zarrebini ¹

Nima Jamshidi ³

Rahmatollah Kiani Harchegani ⁴

¹ Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156 83111, Isfahan, Iran

² Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology

³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran

⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

10.48302/jtp.2026.574844.1348

Abstract

The biomechanical response of the lower leg to external compression was investigated using a three-dimensional, subject-specific finite element model, with emphasis on the effect of soft-tissue mechanical properties on interface pressure distribution. A lower-leg anatomical model was reconstructed from computed tomography data, and two commercially available compression stockings, Medi and Sigvaris, with the same nominal compression class (23–32 mmHg), were mechanically characterized and incorporated into the model. The predicted interface pressures ranged from 34–47 mmHg at the ankle, 17–37 mmHg at the calf, and 16–27 mmHg at the sub-knee region. Validation against experimentally measurements using a Kikuhime pressure gauge yielded mean relative prediction errors of 15% for Medi and 20% for Sigvaris. Parametric simulations with soft-tissue Young’s moduli of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 MPa demonstrated that tissue stiffness substantially influenced both pressure magnitude and spatial uniformity. Reducing Young’s modulus by 66% decreased peak interface pressure by 12–18% and promoted a more uniform circumferential pressure distribution. Despite identical nominal compression classes, Medi and Sigvaris produced distinct pressure distributions, highlighting the role of stocking mechanical properties and anatomical geometry. These findings demonstrate that soft-tissue stiffness should be considered when evaluating compression stocking performance and support the use of finite element modeling for comparative and patient-specific analysis.

Keywords

Compression stockings

finite element modeling

soft tissue mechanical properties

lower limb biomechanics

pressure distribution

Subjects