NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF LIGAMENT DEFICIENT KNEES IN PROXIMAL-DISTAL TIBIAL OSCILLATORY MOTION

This paper deals with nonlinear dynamics of deficient knees. A two dimensional model of the human knee to include tibia and femur, and the ligamentous structure between the two bones is used to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the knee in order to differentiate between normal and deficient knees. An exercise in which the femur is pinned at the hip in a sitting position, and tibia in a vertical position is actuated by a vertical soft harmonic force at various frequencies is proposed. A significant difference between the behavior of normal knees and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) deficient knees is predicted.