Estimating joint contact areas and ligament lengths from bone kinematics and surfaces

We present a novel method for modeling contact areas and ligament lengths in articulations. Our approach uses volume images generated by computed tomography and allows the in vivo and noninvasive study of articulations. In our method, bones are modeled both implicitly (scalar distance fields) and parametrically (manifold surfaces). Using this double representation, we compute interbone distances and estimate joint contact areas. Using the same types of representation, we model ligament paths; in our model, the ligaments are approximated by the shortest paths in a three-dimensional space with bone obstacles. We demonstrate the method by applying our contact area and ligament model to the distal radioulnar joints of a volunteer diagnosed with malunited distal radius fracture in one forearm. Our approach highlights focal changes in the articulation at the distal radioulnar joint (location and area of bone contact) and potential soft-tissue constraints (increased "length" of the distal ligaments and ligament-bone impingement in the injured forearm). Results suggest that the method could be useful in the study of normal and injured anatomy and kinematics of complex joints.