Human joint contact loading including muscle models and oa processes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is prevalent, debilitating and costly condition that affects many joints in humans. OA onset can occur post joint trauma, e.g. anterior cruciate ligament rupture and reconstruction (ACLR), or from joint abnormality, e.g. femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Once OA is established at the hip or knee, disease progression can vary depending on the unknown interaction of many factors. However, abnormal joint contact forces are believed to be a major factor in OA onset and progression. This presentation reviews recent work using EMG-informed neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) models to better understand the role of the musculature in OA progression. NMS modelling is revealing that muscle and joint contact forces may be lower in people suffering from hip or knee joint conditions. Also, lower joint contact forces are possibly related to fast joint tissue degradation, hence we may need to rethink the action of muscles on joint articular loading in OA processes.