New method for simultaneous anatomical and functional studies of articular joints and its application to the human...

In this paper a new methodology is described for the acquisition and computer elaboration of joint anatomy and motion data and the study of their correlation. The method uses a particular commercial electrogoniometer never used before for biomechanic investigations and software developed by the author for numerical interpolations and interactive display of the anatomical structures during joint motion. The original data acquisition protocol and computer elaboration software are described in detail, the theoretical and experimental accuracy of the method is reported and the original features and potential benefits of this approach in the field of joint biomechanics are discussed. Finally an experimental application for geometrical and functional analysis of the knee is presented as a practical example.