John O'Connor

John O’Connor graduated with first class honours in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin in 1956. After two years as a graduate apprentice with British Nylon Spinners, he started graduate studies in the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge and was awarded his PhD in 1962 for a thesis entitled The transmission of oscillating forces between bodies in contact. He was appointed Assistant Professor in Engineering Mechanics at the University of Minnesota in 1962 and University Lecturer in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford in 1964. 

He was appointed Research Director of the Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre in 1991. He was elected Professor of Engineering Science at Oxford in 1996. He spent a sabbatical year as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1972-73, working to help rebuild the University after the Nigerian civil war and re-establish the teaching. He spent a sabbatical term in 1982 in the Department of Orthopaedics in the University of California at San Diego at the invitation of the late Dale Daniel.

In 1966, he met John Goodfellow who asked if he would be interested in studying possible mechanical actors in the development of osteoarthritis of the human hip. This work continued until 1969 with his first orthopaedic engineering research student, Seth Greenwald. He then began to consider the role of the menisci in load-bearing at the human knee, with his second orthopaedic engineering student, Nigel Shrive. 

This led in turn in 1974 to the first application for a patent for a knee replacement containing mechanical analogues of the menisci. The first operation using the Oxford Meniscal Knee took place in June 1976. In collaboration with colleagues in Bologna, similar principles were used in the design of the BOX total ankle replacement., first implanted in 2003.

John has published extensively on knee mechanics and knee replacement in biomechanical and orthopaedic journals. He was co-editor with Dale Daniel and Wayne Akeson of the book Knee Ligaments (1990), with a second edition Daniel’s Knee Injuries (2003) and co-editors Robert Pedowitz and Wayne Akeson .

Publications 

1.         Greenwald AS, O’Connor JJ. The transmission of load through the human hip joint. J Biomech. 1971;4(6):507-28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5162573

2.         Shrive NG, O’Connor JJ, Goodfellow JW. Load-bearing in the knee joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978(131):279-87. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/657636

3.         Bradley J, Goodfellow JW, O’Connor JJ. A radiographic study of bearing movement in unicompartmental Oxford knee replacements. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1987;69(4):598-601. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3611164

4.         Goodfellow JW, Tibrewal SB, Sherman KP, O’Connor JJ. Unicompartmental Oxford Meniscal knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 1987;2(1):1-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3572406

5.         Goodfellow JW, Kershaw CJ, Benson MK, O’Connor JJ. The Oxford Knee for unicompartmental osteoarthritis. The first 103 cases. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1988;70(5):692-701. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3192563

6.         O’Connor JJ, Shercliff TL, Biden E, Goodfellow JW. The geometry of the knee in the sagittal plane. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1989;203(4):223-33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2701960

7.         Jefferson RJ, Collins JJ, Whittle MW, Radin EL, O’Connor JJ. The role of the quadriceps in controlling impulsive forces around heel strike. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1990;204(1):21-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2353989

8.         Radin EL, Yang KH, Riegger C, Kish VL, O’Connor JJ. Relationship between lower limb dynamics and knee joint pain. J Orthop Res. 1991;9(3):398-405. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2010844

9.         White SH, O’Connor JJ, Goodfellow JW. Sagittal plane laxity following knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991;73(2):268-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2005152

10.       Argenson JN, O’Connor JJ. Polyethylene wear in meniscal knee replacement. A one to nine-year retrieval analysis of the Oxford knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1992;74(2):228-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1544958

11.       Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ. A model of human knee ligaments in the sagittal plane. Part 2: Fibre recruitment under load. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1992;206(3):135-45.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1482509

12.       Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ. A model of human knee ligaments in the sagittal plane. Part 1: Response to passive flexion. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1992;206(3):125-34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1482508

13.       O’Connor JJ. Can muscle co-contraction protect knee ligaments after injury or repair? J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1993;75(1):41-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8421032

14.       Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ. Ligament forces at the knee during isometric quadriceps contractions. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1993;207(1):7-18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8363699

15.       Beard DJ, Kyberd PJ, Dodd CA, Simpson AH, O’Connor JJ. Proprioception in the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1994;76(6):992-3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7983139

16.       Beard DJ, Kyberd PJ, O’Connor JJ, Fergusson CM, Dodd CA. Reflex hamstring contraction latency in anterior cruciate ligament deficiency. J Orthop Res. 1994;12(2):219-28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8164095

17.       Zavatsky AB, Beard DJ, O’Connor JJ. Cruciate ligament loading during isometric muscle contractions. A theoretical basis for rehabilitation. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22(3):418-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8037285

18.       Kelly PA, O’Connor JJ. Transmission of rapidly applied loads through articular cartilage. Part 2: Cracked cartilage. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1996;210(1):39-49. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8663892

19.       Kelly PA, O’Connor JJ. Transmission of rapidly applied loads through articular cartilage. Part 1: Uncracked cartilage. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1996;210(1):27-37. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8663890

20.       Lu TW, O’Connor JJ. Lines of action and moment arms of the major force-bearing structures crossing the human knee joint: comparison between theory and experiment. J Anat. 1996;189 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):575-85. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8982833

21.       Lu TW, O’Connor JJ. Fibre recruitment and shape changes of knee ligaments during motion: as revealed by a computer graphics-based model. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1996;210(2):71-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8688119

22.       O’Connor JJ, Goodfellow JW. Theory and practice of meniscal knee replacement: designing against wear. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1996;210(3):217-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8885659

23.       Imran A, O’Connor JJ. Theoretical estimates of cruciate ligament forces: effects of tibial surface geometry and ligament orientations. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1997;211(6):425-39. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9509881

24.       Lu TW, Taylor SJ, O’Connor JJ, Walker PS. Influence of muscle activity on the forces in the femur: an in vivo study. J Biomech. 1997;30(11-12):1101-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9456377

25.       Miller RK, Murray DW, Gill HS, O’Connor JJ, Goodfellow JW. In vitro patellofemoral joint force determined by a non-invasive technique. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1997;12(1):1-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11415665

26.       Toutoungi DE, Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ. Parameter sensitivity of a mathematical model of the anterior cruciate ligament. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1997;211(3):235-46. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9256000

27.       Imran A, O’Connor JJ. Control of knee stability after ACL injury or repair: interaction between hamstrings contraction and tibial translation. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1998;13(3):153-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11415783

28.       Lu TW, O’Connor JJ, Taylor SJ, Walker PS. Validation of a lower limb model with in vivo femoral forces telemetered from two subjects. J Biomech. 1998;31(1):63-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9596539

29.       Miller RK, Goodfellow JW, Murray DW, O’Connor JJ. In vitro measurement of patellofemoral force after three types of knee replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(5):900-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9768906

30.       Murray DW, Goodfellow JW, O’Connor JJ. The Oxford medial unicompartmental arthroplasty: a ten-year survival study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(6):983-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9853489

31.       Murray DW, O’Connor JJ. Superolateral wear of the acetabulum. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(2):197-200. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9546443

32.       O’Connor JJ, Lu TW, Wilson DR, Feikes J, Leardini A. Review: Diarthrodial Joints-Kinematic Pairs, Mechanisms or Flexible Structures? Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 1998;1(2):123-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11264801

33.       Psychoyios V, Crawford RW, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW. Wear of congruent meniscal bearings in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a retrieval study of 16 specimens. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(6):976-82. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9853488

34.       Robertson S, Frost H, Doll H, O’Connor JJ. Leg extensor power and quadriceps strength: an assessment of repeatability in patients with osteoarthritic knees. Clin Rehabil. 1998;12(2):120-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619653

35.       Wilson DR, Feikes JD, O’Connor JJ. Ligaments and articular contact guide passive knee flexion. J Biomech. 1998;31(12):1127-36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9882045

36.       Huss RA, Holstein H, O’Connor JJ. The effect of cartilage deformation on the laxity of the knee joint. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 1999;213(1):19-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10087901

37.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Catani F, Giannini S. A geometric model of the human ankle joint. J Biomech. 1999;32(6):585-91. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10332622

38.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Catani F, Giannini S. Kinematics of the human ankle complex in passive flexion; a single degree of freedom system. J Biomech. 1999;32(2):111-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10052915

39.       Lu TW, O’Connor JJ. Bone position estimation from skin marker co-ordinates using global optimisation with joint constraints. J Biomech. 1999;32(2):129-34.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10052917

40.       Huss RA, Holstein H, O’Connor JJ. A mathematical model of forces in the knee under isometric quadriceps contractions. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2000;15(2):112-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10627327

41.       Imran A, Huss RA, Holstein H, O’Connor JJ. The variation in the orientations and moment arms of the knee extensor and flexor muscle tendons with increasing muscle force: a mathematical analysis. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2000;214(3):277-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10902442

42.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Catani F, Giannini S. The role of the passive structures in the mobility and stability of the human ankle joint: a literature review. Foot Ankle Int. 2000;21(7):602-15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919630

43.       Toutoungi DE, Lu TW, Leardini A, Catani F, O’Connor JJ. Cruciate ligament forces in the human knee during rehabilitation exercises. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2000;15(3):176-87. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10656979

44.       Wilson DR, Feikes JD, Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ. The components of passive knee movement are coupled to flexion angle. J Biomech. 2000;33(4):465-73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10768395

45.       Carson MC, Harrington ME, Thompson N, O’Connor JJ, Theologis TN. Kinematic analysis of a multi-segment foot model for research and clinical applications: a repeatability analysis. J Biomech. 2001;34(10):1299-307. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11522309

46.       Kelly PA, O’Connor JJ. Why incongruous knee replacements do not fail early. J Biomech. 2001;34(12):1599-605. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11716862

47.       Leardini A, Catani F, Giannini S, O’Connor JJ. Computer-assisted design of the sagittal shapes of a ligament-compatible total ankle replacement. Med Biol Eng Comput. 2001;39(2):168-75. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11361242

48.       Leardini A, Stagni R, O’Connor JJ. Mobility of the subtalar joint in the intact ankle complex. J Biomech. 2001;34(6):805-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11470119

49.       Polgar K, Viceconti M, O’Connor JJ. A comparison between automatically generated linear and parabolic tetrahedra when used to mesh a human femur. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2001;215(1):85-94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11323989

50.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ. A model for lever-arm length calculation of the flexor and extensor muscles at the ankle. Gait Posture. 2002;15(3):220-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11983496

51.       Weale AE, Feikes J, Prothero D, O’Connor JJ, Murray D, Goodfellow J. In vitro evaluation of the resistance to dislocation of a meniscal-bearing total knee prosthesis between 30 degrees and 90 degrees of knee flexion. J Arthroplasty. 2002;17(4):475-83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12066279

52.       Wu JJ, Buckley CP, O’Connor JJ. Mechanical integrity of compression-moulded ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: effects of varying process conditions. Biomaterials. 2002;23(17):3773-83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12109703

53.       Chen WL, O’Connor JJ, Radin EL. A comparison of the gaits of Chinese and Caucasian women with particular reference to their heelstrike transients. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2003;18(3):207-13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12620783

54.       Corazza F, O’Connor JJ, Leardini A, Parenti Castelli V. Ligament fibre recruitment and forces for the anterior drawer test at the human ankle joint. J Biomech. 2003;36(3):363-72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12594984

55.       Feikes JD, O’Connor JJ, Zavatsky AB. A constraint-based approach to modelling the mobility of the human knee joint. J Biomech. 2003;36(1):125-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12485647

56.       Gill HS, O’Connor JJ. Heelstrike and the pathomechanics of osteoarthrosis: a pilot gait study. J Biomech. 2003;36(11):1625-31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14522203

57.       Gill HS, O’Connor JJ. Heelstrike and the pathomechanics of osteoarthrosis: a simulation study. J Biomech. 2003;36(11):1617-24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14522202

58.       Jenkins SE, Harrington ME, Zavatsky AB, O’Connor JJ, Theologis TN. Femoral muscle attachment locations in children and adults, and their prediction from clinical measurement. Gait Posture. 2003;18(1):13-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12855296

59.       Polgar K, Gill HS, Viceconti M, Murray DW, O’Connor JJ. Strain distribution within the human femur due to physiological and simplified loading: finite element analysis using the muscle standardized femur model. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2003;217(3):173-89. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12807158

60.       Polgar K, Gill HS, Viceconti M, Murray DW, O’Connor JJ. Development and numerical validation of a finite element model of the muscle standardized femur. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2003;217(3):165-72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12807157

61.       Stagni R, Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Giannini S. Role of passive structures in the mobility and stability of the human subtalar joint: a literature review. Foot Ankle Int. 2003;24(5):402-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12801196

62.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Catani F, Giannini S. Mobility of the human ankle and the design of total ankle replacement. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004(424):39-46. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15241142

63.       Corazza F, Leardini A, O’Connor J J, Parenti Castelli V. Mechanics of the anterior drawer test at the ankle: the effects of ligament viscoelasticity. J Biomech. 2005;38(10):2118-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16084213

64.       Short A, Gill HS, Marks B, Waite JC, Kellett CF, Price AJ, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW. A novel method for in vivo knee prosthesis wear measurement. J Biomech. 2005;38(2):315-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15598459

65.       Price AJ, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW, Dodd CA, Goodfellow JW. A history of Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2007;30(5 Suppl):7-10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17549858

66.       Giannini S, Romagnoli M, O’Connor JJ, Malerba F, Leardini A. Total ankle replacement compatible with ligament function produces mobility, good clinical scores, and low complication rates: an early clinical assessment. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(10):2746-53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20559763

67.       Goodfellow JW, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW. A critique of revision rate as an outcome measure: re-interpretation of knee joint registry data. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010;92(12):1628-31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21119165

68.       Pegg E, Pandit H, Gill HS, Keys GW, Svard UG, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW. Examination of ten fractured Oxford unicompartmental knee bearings. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011;93(12):1610-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22161922

69.       Pegg EC, Murray DW, Pandit HG, O’Connor JJ, Gill HS. Fracture of mobile unicompartmental knee bearings: a parametric finite element study. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2013;227(11):1213-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23940210

70.       Leardini A, O’Connor JJ, Giannini S. Biomechanics of the natural, arthritic, and replaced human ankle joint. J Foot Ankle Res. 2014;7(1):8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24499639

71.       Monk AP, Choji K, O’Connor JJ, Goodfellow JW, Murray DW. The shape of the distal femur: a geometrical study using MRI. Bone Joint J. 2014;96-B(12):1623-30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25452364

72.       Pegg EC, Bare J, Gill HS, Pandit HG, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW, Price AJ. Influence of consciousness, muscle action and activity on medial condyle translation after Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement. Knee. 2015;22(6):646-52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26514940

73.       Pegg EC, Mancuso F, Alinejad M, van Duren BH, O’Connor JJ, Murray DW, Pandit HG. Sagittal kinematics of mobile unicompartmental knee replacement in anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2016;31:33-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26518281

 

The Oxford Knee Replacement is the most widely used partial knee replacement worldwide. Replacing one side of the knee, unicompartmental knee replacement, tends to result in shorter hospital stays, fewer short-term complications, faster recovery and better knee function than total knee replacements.
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