[Biodynamics of the hip joint. The elasticity of the human femur and its importance].
Pauwels' biomechanical analysis of hip joint function shows that the dynamic forces acting on the joint can be large. In these techniques, spring mechanisms are being used to neutralize dynamic forces. The question remains as to whether such a mechanism in humans exists in the vicinity of the hip joint, i.e. in the femur. Fresh human femoral bones were put under axial stress and their qualities examined. Different spring qualities were found in the various femora; and by comparing these, 6 groups were established which were then subjected to statistical analysis. More than half the bones examined possessed good spring qualities. A practical example proves that the spring qualities of the femur are apt to absorb a considerable amount of kinetic energy during the axial stress and thus lessen the vertical mechanical strain vector of the hip joint.
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*
Zur Biodynamik des Hüftgelenkes Das Federverhalten des menschlichen Femur und seine Bedeutung