Biomechanics of diarthrodial joints: a review of twenty years of progress

Abstract

A survey of some of the advances made over the past twenty years in understanding diarthrodial joint biomechanics is presented. Topics covered in this review include: biotribology (i.e., friction, lubrication and wear of diarthrodial joints); contact area determinations; stereophotogrammetric rendering of articular surfaces; deformational field analysis using canonical problems; and finite element formulations for both infinitesimal and finite deformations of biphasic materials and precise anatomic surfaces. Suggestions are made for future research directions as well.