Biomechanics of the knee joint, as they relate to arthroplasty

摘要

This article covers the current understanding of human knee biomechanics and how these data are used in the assessment and development of knee replacement implants. Extensive and well corroborated data is available to the surgeon and engineer implant designer to aid in the design of new implant systems. The forces acting on the human knee joint have been measured experimentally from both external methods and permanently implanted telemetric devices. Motions of the knee are well understood for both the healthy knee as well as all commercially available total knee replacements today. Implant designers are now compelled to use these data in the design and testing of new implant systems. We now have 45 years in the modern age of knee replacement, with many lessons learned to-date, and repeating mistakes can now be avoided with just a fundamental understanding of the available published data on biomechanics and motion of the knee joint. To-date most implant designers have settled upon an averaging approach to the design of implant systems. We have now entered into an age where it is possible to customize implants for each individual patient yet respect all of the hard learned lessons of the past 45 years.