The relationship between surface topography and contact in the elbow joint: Development of a two-dimensional geometrical model in the coronal plane

Abstract

One of the first stages in developing an accurate biomechanical representation of the elbow joint is to model realistically the geometry of the joint. In particular, given the complex anatomy of the articular surfaces, the relationship between surface topography and joint contact must be fully understood in order to model the contact conditions. As the joint articulates, the location and size of the contacts between the mating surfaces change, altering the distribution and magnitude of load transmission. In this paper, a geometric model of the anatomical elbow joint in the coronal plane is described. The contours of the articulating surfaces are represented algebraically by a series of connecting lines and circular arcs. It is shown that the location and size of the contact between the surfaces change significantly due to small changes in the topography of one or more of the mating surfaces. The surface topography-joint contact relationship is modelled for a number of different clinical conditions for the joint. The model is relevant to clinical studies of joint degeneration and to the design of prosthetic components for the elbow joint.

Sensitivity and specificity of arthroscopic estimation of positive and negative radio-ulnar incongruence in dogs

“…Based on these observations and the other conflicting views of the traditional understanding of elbow incongruence that we have cited, we feel the need to move on to a more complex understanding of ED. The isolated assessment of a positive radio-ulnar step formation, has been shown to be an inconsistent finding in severely affected clinical cases of ED , and therefore imaging might be extended to a three-dimensional shape analysis of the involved joint surfaces (30,43,44).…”

Anatomic variation of the clavicle: A novel three‐dimensional study

“…Its anatomy has not been evaluated using statistical shape analysis. However, the use of technology to study the two-dimensional relationship between the surface topography and the contact has been applied successfully to other bones such as in the elbow joint, previously described by Waide et al (2000). By adapting this statistical software package, we have applied it to the clavicle for the first time.…”

Analysis of Selected Hominoid Joint Surfaces Using Laser Scanning and Geometric Morphometrics: A Preliminary Report

“…Knowledge of normal and pathological joint morphology and kinematics allows for the design and implantation of prostheses that accurately approximate normal range and quality of motion (Bullough, 1981;Frost, 1999;Haut et al, 1998;Hlavacek and Vokoun, 1998;Kauer and de Lange, 1987;Kelkar et al, 2001;Pretterklieber, 1999;Soslowsky et al, 1992;Waide et al, 2000). Anthropological studies include those that have examined patterns of joint size dimorphism in the elbow and knee of catarrhine primates (Lague, 2003), patterns of sexual dimorphism in hominoid humeri (Lague and Jungers, 1999), patellar articular proportions of recent and Pleistocene humans (Trinkaus, 2000), and the relationship between hip joint congruence and function (MacLatchy and Bossert, 1996;MacLatchy, 1996).…”