Physical modelling of hip joint forces in stair climbing

A test device has been developed and validated to simulate physiologic loading of the hip during stair climbing. Forces about the hip joint were measured in static simulations of stair climbing using simulated extensor, abductor and adductor muscle groups to support the joint. Femoral flexion angle (to model step length and height) and applied hip flexion moment (to model trunk lean) were varied to examine the effects of different loading conditions on the hip. In stair climbing the maximum total joint force was six times body weight at 34 degrees of femoral flexion and 60 N m of hip flexion moment. Joint forces increased with hip flexion moment and varied little with femoral flexion angle, except for the posteriorly directed force. This component, which twists implants about the femoral shaft, increased with femoral flexion angle but changed little with hip flexion moment.