Contribution of biomechanics to clinical practice in orthopaedics

Summary form only given. In the past 30 years, the author and his colleagues have focused their research on the biomechanics of musculoskeletal soft tissues, ligaments and tendons, in particular. Therefore, in this lecture, the function of knee ligaments, the associated homeostatic responses secondary to immobilization and exercise, and healing of the ligaments will be reviewed. Examples of scientific findings that help to guide the surgical management of injury to ligaments will be given. New ideas on functional tissue engineering to improve the healing of knee ligaments and tendons will be presented. These studies showed that tendons and ligaments are indeed complex biological tissues. To fully understand their behavior, healing and remodelling processes, the author advocates major efforts be made to bring molecular biologists, morphologists, biochemists, bioengineers, physical therapists and clinicians to work together in a seamless manner to solve these complicated problems. As biomechanics is a field to study force and motion of the living, which includes molecules to cells to tissues to organs to the whole body, it has and will continue to be an integral part seeking solutions that will help injured patients to return to their sports activities more quickly and completely.