Joints, Biomechanics of

Abstract

Bones in the skeleton join to form segments or links that provide for the attachment of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and so on. Altogether, these systems of bones and soft tissues, called joints, produce movement for the organism. Joint biomechanics traditionally is a division of biomechanics that studies the effect of forces on the joints of living organisms. Like all other organs, joints are subject to trauma and disease. Development of treatments, devices and exercise regimes for healthy joints, as well as learning from the great variety of naturally existing joints for the purpose of nature‐inspired technology, requires a fundamental understanding of the mechanics of joints and joint tissues, and their interaction with the underlying biological mechanisms. At the current state of the art, the definition of joint biomechanics can be broadened to encompass these complex interactions and the relevant technology. It is the purpose of this article to introduce a current understanding of joint biomechanics with an emphasis on the structure, kinematics, kinetics, modeling and joint stability of human joints. A detailed consideration of the mechanics of artifical joints and that of the tissues forming a joint is left for other articles.