A mathematical model of knee kinematics utilizing the principle of minimum energy
By: Patricia F. Warren
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 68
Description: This thesis seeks to determine if the path of motion of the knee in passive flexion results from the minimization of potential energy in the joint ligaments. To investigate this hypothesis, a simulation modeling both collateral and cruciate ligaments was developed, with each cruciate ligament represented as two separate fibers. The model computed almost 8000 possible orientations of the femur during flexion through 1200, with the surfaces of the femur and tibia serving as a constraint to motion. Each orientation of the femur inherently provided the position of the individual ligament attachment points, from which the extension or contraction and the potential energy of the ligament were derived. The energy of the entire six-ligament system resulted from the summation of the potential energy of individual ligaments. For each 10 degrees of flexion, the femur position that produced the minimum energy of this six- ligament system was identified. Finally, the motion of the femur as it followed these positions was evaluated: it did not mirror known joint motion. There are several areas where further refinement of the simulation can be made before a complete evaluation of the hypothesis can be made.
Notes: Thesis advisor(s): Young L. Kwon, William B. Maier.

"June 1998."

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 65)

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

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US Marine Corps (USMC) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 10/06/98