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Mechanical loads at the knee joint during deep flexion
Author(s) -
Nagura Takeo,
Dyrby Chris O.,
Alexander Eugene J.,
Andriacchi Thomas P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-0266(01)00178-4
Subject(s) - knee flexion , posterior cruciate ligament , biomechanics , medicine , knee joint , orthodontics , inverse dynamics , stair climbing , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , anterior cruciate ligament , surgery , kinematics , physics , classical mechanics
There is a lack of fundamental information on the knee biomechanics in deep flexion beyond 90°. In this study, mechanical loads during activities requiring deep flexion were quantified on normal knees from 19 subjects, and compared with those in walking and stair climbing. The deep flexion activities generate larger net quadriceps moments (6.9–13.5% body weight into height) and net posterior forces (58.3–67.8% body weight) than routine ambulatory activities. Moreover, the peak net moments and the net posterior forces were generated between 90° and 150° of flexion. The large moments and forces will result in high stress at high angles of flexion. These loads can influence pathological changes to the joint and are important considerations for reconstructive procedures of the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament should have a substantial role during deep flexion, since there was a large posterior load that must be sustained at the knee. The mechanics of the knee in deep flexion are likely a factor causing problems of posterior instability in current total knee arthroplasty. Thus, it is important to consider the magnitude of the loads at the knee in the treatment of patients that commonly perform deep flexion during activities of daily living. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.