Author/Editor		Biščević, Mirza
Title		Gender differences in knee kinematics and its possible consequences
Translated title		Razlika med spoloma v kinematiki kolena in njene možne posledice
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Univerza v Ljubljani, Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 55
Language		eng
Abstract		In knee kinematics, central role has change of transverse axis during the flexion which describes J-shaped curve about femoral condyles - instant center of motion path (ICM path). Altered ICM path increases compression and sliding in knee which leads to further arthrotic deterioration. Previous studies have evidenced some differences in knee kinematics, distribution of contact areas, cartilage volumes, thigh muscle activation, all unfavorable for females. Aim of this work was to analyze anatomic and kinematic characteristics of the male and female knees in the sagittal plane. Ten healthy male and 10 healthy female participants performed extension of their right lower leg in non-weight bearing and weight bearing conditions. The centers of knee joint motion were obtained with videographic motion analysis, and radiuses of condylar curves were calculated from digitalized X ray scan. The Knee Roll software was made for this purpose. The extension of the knee in non-weight loaded and weight loaded conditions is a combination of rolling and sliding joint surface motion with ratio 6:5, in both genders. During the last 20° of extension of weight loaded male knee, rolling/sliding ratio changed to 8:1 (p<0.05). Average radiuses of condylar curves were between 4,5 and 1,7 cm medially, and between 3,2 and 1,8 cm laterally, for 0° and 90° flexion contact point respectively. Gender differences in the radiuses of condylar curves, after the adjusting to body height were insignificant. A higher proportion of joint surface sliding with consecutive anterior tibial displacement in females indicates more strain during knee extension, potentially making the female anterior cruciate ligament tend and susceptible to injury. Those gender differences in the knee kinematics are probably consequences of different soft tissue structure or its activity, because no difference in the sagittal shape of femoral condyles was noted. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		KNEE JOINT BIOMECHANICS FEMUR WEIGHT-BEARING STRESS, MECHANICAL OSTEOARTHRITIS VIDEO RECORDING SEX FACTORS