Joint-Articulating Surface Motion

Knowledge of joint-articulating surface motion is essential for design of prosthetic devices to restore function; assessment of joint wear, stability, and degeneration; and determination of proper diagnosis and surgical treatment of joint disease. The shape of the articular surfaces of the proximal tibia and distal femur must fulfil the requirement that they move in contact with one another. The prole of the femoral condyles varies with the condyle examined. During knee extension, the patella makes a rolling/gliding motion along the femoral articulating surface. Throughout the entire extension range, the gliding motion is clockwise. Y. Miyanaga et al. studied the deformation of the hip joint under loading, the contact area between the articular surfaces, and the contact pressures. The articular surface is oriented with an upward tilt of approximately 45° and is retroverted approximately 30° with respect to the condylar line of the distal humerus.