Characteristics of hip joint reaction forces during a range of activities.

The paper reports the characteristics of joint forces for 9 activities in 18 normal healthy subjects. Activities included Walk, Walk Turn, Stand to Sit, Sit to Stand, Squat, Stand Reach, Kneel Reach, Lunge, and Golf Swing. Within the cohort ∼30% variability occurred in the manner in which each activity was completed.

Analysis of hip joint cross-shear under variable activities using a novel virtual joint model within Visual3D.

Cross-shear forces occur between bearing surfaces at the hip and have been identified as a key contributor to prosthesis wear. Understanding the variation in relative motion paths between both individuals and activities, is a possible explanation for increased revision rates for younger patients and could assist in improved pre-clinical testing regimes. Additionally, there is little information for the pre-clinical testing of cartilage substitution therapies for younger more active individuals.

Biomechanical analysis of walking gait when simulating the use of an Ilizarov external fixator.

The Ilizarov frame is an external fixation device, primarily used for the treatment of complex fractures. The authors postulate that the size and weight of the frame may lead to biomechanical adaptations to gait, independent to any injury. Temporospatial characteristics, kinetics and kinematics were assessed when simulating the use of an Ilizarov frame.