Mathematical modelling of stress in the hip during gait

A mathematical model is developed for calculating the contact stress distri bution in the hip for a known resultant hip force and characteristic geomet rical parameters. Using a relatively simple single nonlinear algebraic equa tion, the model can be readily applied in clinical practice to estimate the stress distribution in the most frequent body positions of everyday activi ties. This is demonstrated by analyzing the data on the resultant hip force obtained from laboratory observations where a stance period of gait is con sidered. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.