A technique for studying the kinematics of human joints. Part I: Theory.
A novel analytical method that allows iterative synthesis and analysis of the structure and physiology of human joints from a kinematic viewpoint is presented. The technique may be used for both anatomical and physiological joints. The joints are modeled as contacting rigid bodies connected by muscles and ligaments. The muscles and ligaments are regarded as flexible connections, either connecting the articulating bones or acting across the joints. A taut ligament or muscle is converted to a constraining force on the moving bone and used with the geometry of the bone in determining the degrees of freedom of the joint. The method uses a unique approach of measuring coordinates of points from a coordinate system local to each bone to avoid compounding errors. It is shown how these could then be used with the measured or estimated maximum lengths of the flexible connections to predict such kinematic joint properties as type, mobility, and range of motion in an iterative manner.
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D008433:Mathematics; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009068:Movement; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000502:physiology