On the biomechanical processes in human knee joint during active isometric stretching

S. Ranchev, I. Ivanov, I. Iotov, St. Stoytchev

Abstract: The purpose of the present work is to evaluate intra-articular movements in the knee joint during active isometric stretching of the muscle groups of the lower right limb. Our working hypothesis was that, as a result of the muscular contractions of the adjacent locomotor muscles, a change in the distance between the femur and the big tibia would be observed in the knee joint. We conducted experiments with two experienced individuals, football players, after informed consent. The study was performed at resting MRI test and active isometric right leg stretching. The results showed that active isometric stretching causes intracranial processes in the knee joint. A change in the distance between the cartilage surface of the femur and the corresponding end of the tibia during active isometric stretching was observed. The experimental data obtained would allow developing of models of hydrodynamic and mechanical effects in deformation of the joint capsule; the interaction between cartilage deformation and synovial fluid flow; changes in the volume of the joint capsule as a result of simultaneous loading with axial forces, internal pressure and external pressure due to the action of the adjacent knee muscles and tendons.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.33, No. 3(2019), 56 - 61

Keywords: intracranial knee joint movement; Isometric stretching; muscle-tendon block biomechanical properties

Date published: 2019-10-22