A Computational Evaluation of the temperature distribution generated by thermal splints designed to treat knee pain

A 3D modeling study was performed to evaluate the temperature distribution produced due to knee thermal splints to facilitate future investigations into the possible relationship between the temperature distribution and the pain relief related performance of the splints. Water and phase change material (PCM) were used as splint fillers at two different temperatures (42 °C and 44 °C). Free cooling and a temperature-controlled thermal splint were also considered. The study showed that a PCM filled splint or a temperature-controlled splint produced relatively larger and deeper temperature changes compared to the one produced with a water filled splint. With a PCM filled splint it was possible to reach a temperature increase of 1 °C in muscle tissue (42.61 cm3) and not only in fatty tissue. •Evaluation of thermotherapies used to treat knee pain.•Finite element models help to evaluate the thermal effect of a splint used in pain relief.•Thermal effect over each tissue when heat treatments are used.•Penetration depth reached by an external heat source used in pain relief.