Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for the largest fraction of temporary and permanent disabilities. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common MSDs which is characterized by a degeneration of articular cartilages. Understanding and preventing OA are of paramount importance in our aging yet very active society, and in this context, computer-assisted models of articulations are highly demanded by biomechanical and medical communities. To investigate the causes of some idiopathic OA, we have devised a unique comprehensive methodology to simulate musculoskeletal models of human articulations. Built from a rich variety of acquisition modalities (MRI, Motion capture, Body scanning, etc.) and innovative research, these models are fully subject-specific and account for anatomy, motion and biomechanical behavior of the articulations. This paper presents a complete overview of the methodology with medical validation and clinical case studies.

This work describes a methodology for the simulation of the mechanical behavior of the dancers hip. Patient-specific anatomical and kinematical models are used as input to simulate the hip cartilages deformations during motion. Based on computer graphic techniques, this methodology allows a 3D visualization and assessment of pressure distribution, offering orthopedists a complementary tool for diagnosis.

Abstract This paper describes a methodology for the simulation of musculoskeletal disorders. Our clinical study is related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip, a pathogenesis possibly due to impingements. These bone collisions lead to abnormal joint mechanics which is characterized by contact pressure and stress distribution upon the joint cartilages. The proposed methodology combines different approaches from modeling to simulation. The simulation is based on patient‐specific anatomical models, where acquisition modalities are noninvasive and flexible. Based on static magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, a discrete deformable models method is used for modeling the organs of the musculoskeletal system. Femoroacetabular movements are estimated using an optical motion capture system and are validated by a dynamic MRI analysis. To achieve accurate deformations, techniques to generate volumetric meshes are developed based on the medial axis (MA) information. Finally, a computationally efficient fast functional joint model is used to simulate the mechanical behavior of the soft tissues. The goal of such a simulation is to allow the investigation of the relevant contact and cartilages deformation under movement, which can be useful for diagnosis, pre‐ or post‐operative planning and training. This will benefit further developments in surgical techniques and minimally invasive procedures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.