title: Computational modelling of the natural hip: a review of finite element and multibody simulations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The hip joint suffers from a high prevalence of degenerative conditions. Athough patient's well-being could be improved through early and more effective interventions, without a greater understanding of the mechanics of the hip, these developments cannot be attained. Thus, this review article summarises the current literature on this subject in order to provide a platform for future developments. To illustrate the influence computational simulations have had on the knowledge advancement in hip mechanics, we explored two methodological approaches: finite element (FE) analysis and multibody dynamics (MBD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Notwithstanding the unique capabilities of FE and MBD, the former generally offers the micromechanics of the articulating surfaces whereas the latter the macromechanics of the skeleton, these two methodologies also provide the bulk of the literature regarding computational modelling of the musculoskeletal system. Although FE has provided significant knowledge on contact pressures and the effects of musculoskeletal geometries, in particular cartilage and bone shapes, MBD has afforded a wealth of understanding on the influence of gait patterns and muscle attachment locations on force magnitudes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These two computational techniques have, and will continue to, provide significant contributions towards the development of interventions. It is hoped that this article will help focus ongoing technological developments by highlighting areas of success, but also areas of under development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UK. a.stops@leeds.ac.uk
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stops
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Zhongmin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software