Articular joints are the structures that allow us to move. They occur wherever two bones adjoin and move against each other; surrounding soft-tissues protect the bones from motion-related damage. Forward models are physically-based models in which forces applied to a joint determine the behavior of the joint.
The advantage of forward models over other models is that they can be predictive. For example, a forward model of the wrist could (theoretically) predict, for a given subject, how wrist kinematics, cartilage contact and ligament strain would be altered after a simulated surgical transsection of a ligament or the fusion of two wrist bones, for a given set of muscle and external forces. Such models are the ultimate goal in biomechanical modeling. In computer animation, the same models would likely generate more realistic character motion.
I am trying to build an individual-specific predictive model of the human wrist. (James Coburn, my friend, you're that lucky individual :-). I've lost your contact, and the internet thinks you're that famous actor. So please drop me an email when you can. :-))
[on-going project]