title: An articular cartilage contact model based on real surface geometry.
abstract: Abnormal, excessive stresses acting on articular joint surfaces are speculated to be one of the causes for joint degeneration. However, articular surface stresses have not been studied systematically, since it is technically difficult to measure in vivo contact areas and pressures in dynamic situations. Therefore, we implemented a numerical model of articular surface contact using accurate surface geometries. The model was developed for the cat patellofemoral joint. We demonstrated that small misalignments of the patella relative to the femur change the joint contact mechanics substantially for a given external load. These results suggest that misalignment might be studied as one of the factors causing articular cartilage disorder and joint degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: S-K Sang-Kuy
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herzog
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002415:Cats; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology; D006614:Hindlimb; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007596:Joints; D008954:Models, Biological; D010329:Patella / Q000503:physiopathology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing