Passive motion modeling of the human ankle complex joint

摘要

Diarthrodial joint passive motion, i.e. motion under virtually unloaded conditions, has been recognized of great importance for a deeper understanding of the main joint anatomical passive structures (ligaments and articular surfaces). Equivalent three-dimensional mechanisms proved to be an efficient tool to model the passive motion. In previous works an equivalent mechanism was synthesized, which replicates the ankle passive motion with a great accuracy. Since many passive structures have not been involved in that model, this paper investigates the possibility that other equivalent mechanisms can be devised by considering these forgotten passive structures and can replicate the ankle passive motion properly. The comparison of the devised different models with the same experimental data showed that they are all capable to simulate well the ankle passive motion. A further step of this investigation will be to find which role each model plays in the stability of the joint when loaded by external forces.