The team
Lorenzo Grassi (Principal Investigator, Faculty of Engineering), Daniel Benoit (collaborator, Medical Faculty)
The idea
This research introduces a biomechanical approach that combines advanced 3D modelling with personalised movement analysis to create subject-specific models that can estimate what happens within a joint during everyday actions. These models will be able to reveal whether certain movement patterns increase osteoarthritis risk—even when anatomy appears normal.
Why it Matters
No disease-modifying drugs exist for osteoarthritis, making prevention critical. By linking hip development and biomechanics to future risk, this project aims to enable early interventions when they are most effective. The approach could radically improve diagnosis and reduce the societal burden of osteoarthritis, paving the way for larger studies and clinical applications.