Development of an integrated modelling approach to study the interaction between joint contact geometry, kinematics and loading applied to the knee

Studying the relation between joint geometry, kinematics and loading is essential to understand how joints function, but is even more important from a clinical perspective. Deviant kinematics may, for example, adversely affect joint loading patterns, with load concentration on specific articular regions which might increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis(OA). OA is the most common agerelated joint disorder and is characterized by cartilage degeneration. Measurement of in vivo joint loading in the native knee, however, is currently not possible. To assess knee joint loading during daily activities we therefore have to resort to the use of computer modelling. Evaluation of the accuracy of these computer simulations has only recently become possible through the measurement of knee contact forces in patients with an instrumented total knee replacement and has revealed that state-of-the-art models are not very accurate. The key objective of this project is therefore to develop and validate a novel computational approach to study the interaction between joint surface geometry, kinematics and loading in joints with load-dependent kinematics, which is essential to answer fundamental questions about joint function and design. We will demonstrate the potential of the developed approach to further improve prevention and treatment strategies of OA by using it to predict gait modifications that unload the regions of the knee that are prone to cartilage degeneration in OA patients.