Biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint in relation to the mechanical factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract

Altered tibiofemoral joint mechanics is hypothesized to raise the risk for damage or injury, as regions of cartilage and bone not prepared to deal with different loading patterns might be involved. Weight-bearing knee activities were examined. Kinematics data were obtained from healthy-volunteers and patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency, while in-vitro testing on human knees was used to study joint contact stresses and material properties. It was found that contact stresses in deep-flexion bordered the critical limits of cartilage, while in stair-climbing the anterior cruciate ligament influences joint loads. The tibiofemoral joint kinematics from the activities studied was related to topographically-dependent articular cartilage mechanical properties and morphology, showing some regions to have unique properties that make them potential sites for vulnerability to damage. Finally the possibility of damage from altered joint mechanics is discussed comprehensively in the context of factors related to the risk of osteoarthritis in the tibiofemoral joint.