Factors influencing the distribution of knee joint reaction forces during level walking and jogging

Abstract Alterations of foot rotation angles have successfully reduced external knee adduction moments during walking and running. However, reductions in knee adduction moments may not result in reductions in knee joint reaction forces. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of internal and external foot rotation on knee, hip, and ankle joint reaction forces during running. Motion capture and force data were recorded of 19 healthy adults running at 3.35 m/s during three conditions: (1) preferred (normal) and with (2) internal and (3) external foot rotation. Musculoskeletal simulations were performed using opensim and the Rajagopal 2015 model, modified to a two degree-of-freedom knee joint. Muscle excitations were derived using static optimization, including muscle physiology parameters. Joint reaction forces (i.e., the total force acting on the joints) were computed and compared between conditions using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) via statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Internal foot rotation reduced resultant hip forces (from 18% to 23% stride), while external rotation reduced resultant ankle forces (peak force at 20% stride) during the stance phase. Three-dimensional and resultant knee joint reaction forces only differed at very early and very late stance phase. The results of this study indicate, similar to previous findings, that reductions in external knee adduction moments do not mirror reductions in knee joint reaction forces.

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Dependency of Lower Limb Joint Reaction Forces on Femoral Anteversion

10.1101/2021.02.22.432159 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luca Modenese ◽

Martina Barzan ◽

Christopher P Carty

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Knee Joint ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Femoral Anteversion ◽

Accurate Estimation ◽

Grand Challenge ◽

Anteversion Angle ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Joint Reaction

AbstractBackgroundMusculoskeletal (MSK) models based on literature data are meant to represent a generic anatomy and are a popular tool employed by biomechanists to estimate the internal loads occurring in the lower limb joints, such as joint reaction forces (JRFs). However, since these models are normally just linearly scaled to an individual’s anthropometry, it is unclear how their estimations would be affected by the personalization of key features of the MSK anatomy, one of which is the femoral anteversion angle.Research QuestionHow are the lower limb JRF magnitudes computed through a generic MSK model affected by changes in the femoral anteversion?MethodsWe developed a bone-deformation tool in MATLAB (https://simtk.org/projects/bone_deformity) and used it to create a set of seven OpenSim models spanning from 2° femoral retroversion to 40° anteversion. We used these models to simulate the gait of an elderly individual with an instrumented prosthesis implanted at their knee joint (5th Grand Challenge dataset) and quantified both the changes in JRFs magnitude due to varying the skeletal anatomy and their accuracy against the correspondent in vivo measurements at the knee joint.ResultsHip and knee JRF magnitudes were affected by the femoral anteversion with variations from the unmodified generic model up to 11.7±5.5% at the hip and 42.6±31.0% at the knee joint. The ankle joint was unaffected by the femoral geometry. The MSK models providing the most accurate knee JRFs (root mean squared error: 0.370±0.069 body weight, coefficient of determination: 0.764±0.104, largest peak error: 0.36±0.16 body weight) were those with the femoral anteversion angle closer to that measured on the segmented bone of the individual.SignificanceFemoral anteversion substantially affects hip and knee JRFs estimated with generic MSK models, suggesting that personalizing key MSK anatomical features might be necessary for accurate estimation of JRFs with these models.

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Three-dimensional knee joint reaction forces during walking and stair climbing

Journal of Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/0021-9290(91)90193-q ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 24 (3-4) ◽

pp. 239

Author(s):

J. Li ◽

U.P. Wyss ◽

K.J. Deluzio ◽

P.A. Costigan

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Stair Climbing ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Joint Reaction

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Dynamic Force Response of Human Legs due to Vertical Jumps

Volume 2: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering; Nanoengineering for Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1115/imece2011-62261 ◽

2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kinjal Prajapati ◽

Fred Barez ◽

James Kao ◽

David Wagner

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Hip Joint ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Injury Mechanism ◽

Ankle Injuries ◽

Musculoskeletal Simulation ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Vertical Jumps ◽

Joint Reaction

Jumping is a natural exertion that occurs during a variety of human activities including playing sports, working, skateboarding, dancing, escaping from hazardous events, rescue activities, and many others. During jumping, the ankles in particular are expected to support the entire body weight of the jumper and that may lead to ankle injuries. Each year hundreds of patients are treated for ankle sprains/strains with ankle fractures as one of the most common injuries treated by orthopedists and podiatrists. The knee joint is also considered the most-often injured joint in the entire human body. Although the general anatomy of the lower extremities is fairly well understood, an understanding of the injury mechanism during these jumping tasks is not well understood. The aim of this study is to determine the reaction forces exerted on legs and joints due to vertical jumps, through musculoskeletal simulation and experimental studies to better understand the dynamic jump process and the injury mechanism. The joint reaction forces and moments exerted on the ankle, knee and hip joint during takeoff and extreme squat landing of a vertical jump were determined through the application of musculoskeletal simulation. It is concluded that during extreme squat landing of a vertical jump, joint reaction forces and moments were highest in proximal/distal and anteroposterior direction may cause most likely injury to the hip joint ligaments, ankle fracture and knee joint, respectively.

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The Effect of Knee Model on Estimates of Muscle and Joint Forces in Recumbent Pedaling

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.3148192 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 132 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Michael J. Koehle ◽

M. L. Hull

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Dynamic Simulation ◽

Joint Model ◽

Human Motion ◽

Muscle Forces ◽

Knee Model ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Simulation Results ◽

Joint Reaction

The usefulness of forward dynamic simulations to studies of human motion is well known. Although the musculoskeletal models used in these studies are generic, the modeling of specific components, such as the knee joint, may vary. Our two objectives were (1) to investigate the effects of three commonly used knee models on forward dynamic simulation results, and (2) to study the sensitivity of simulation results to variations in kinematics for the most commonly used knee model. To satisfy the first objective, three different tibiofemoral models were incorporated into an existing forward dynamic simulation of recumbent pedaling, and the resulting kinematics, pedal forces, muscle forces, and joint reaction forces were compared. Two of these models replicated the rolling and sliding motion of the tibia on the femur, while the third was a simple pin joint. To satisfy the second objective, variations in the most widely used of the three knee models were created by adjusting the experimental data used in the development of this model. These variations were incorporated into the pedaling simulation, and the resulting data were compared with the unaltered model. Differences between the two rolling-sliding models were smaller than differences between the pin-joint model and the rolling-sliding models. Joint reactions forces, particularly at the knee, were highly sensitive to changes in knee joint model kinematics, as high as 61% root mean squared difference, normalized by the corresponding peak force of the unaltered reference model. Muscle forces were also sensitive, as high as 30% root mean squared difference. Muscle excitations were less sensitive. The observed changes in muscle force and joint reaction forces were caused primarily by changes in the moment arms and musculotendon lengths of the quadriceps. Although some level of inaccuracy in the knee model may be acceptable for calculations of muscle excitation timing, a representative model of knee kinematics is necessary for accurate calculation of muscle and joint reaction forces.

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Effects Of Foot Rotation On Knee Joint Reaction Forces During Running

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000683036.26463.3d ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (7S) ◽

pp. 721-721

Author(s):

Hunter Jared Bennett ◽

Kevin A. Valenzuela ◽

Joshua T. Weinhandl

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Joint Reaction

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Durability Test Method for Patella Implants

ASME 2007 Summer Bioengineering Conference ◽

10.1115/sbc2007-176577 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

L. Kirkpatrick ◽

L. Borgstede ◽

T. Johnson ◽

J. Mason

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Knee Joint ◽

Patellofemoral Joint ◽

Point Contact ◽

Test Method ◽

Durability Test ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Joint Reaction

Modeling and testing of the patello-femoral joint (PFJ) presents challenges in simulating the appropriate loading and kinematics. Walking is an activity of lower demand for patella performance. Higher demands occur during higher flexion activities such as stair ascending/descending, chair rising, and squatting. High patellofemoral joint reaction forces (PFJR) have been shown to begin around 60° of tibiofemoral flexion and remain high (2.5 × BW to 3.35 × BW) until approximately 110° of tibiofemoral (TF) flexion, at which point contact with soft tissue will tend to off-load the knee joint. Therefore, the flexion range of highest load for the patella is considered to be between 60° and 110° of TF flexion.

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A Pilot Study of Musculoskeletal Abnormalities in Patients in Recovery from a Unilateral Rupture-Repaired Achilles Tendon

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17134642 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (13) ◽

pp. 4642

Author(s):

Dong Sun ◽

Gusztáv Fekete ◽

Julien S. Baker ◽

Qichang Mei ◽

Bíró István ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Knee Joint ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Ankle Joint ◽

Muscle Forces ◽

Joint Moments ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Joint Loads ◽

Joint Reaction

The purpose of this study was to compare the inter-limb joint kinematics, joint moments, muscle forces, and joint reaction forces in patients after an Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) via subject-specific musculoskeletal modeling. Six patients recovering from a surgically repaired unilateral ATR were included in this study. The bilateral Achilles tendon (AT) lengths were evaluated using ultrasound imaging. The three-dimensional marker trajectories, ground reaction forces, and surface electromyography (sEMG) were collected on both sides during self-selected speed during walking, jogging and running. Subject-specific musculoskeletal models were developed to compute joint kinematics, joint moments, muscle forces and joint reaction forces. AT lengths were significantly longer in the involved side. The side-to-side triceps surae muscle strength deficits were combined with decreased plantarflexion angles and moments in the injured leg during walking, jogging and running. However, the increased knee extensor femur muscle forces were associated with greater knee extension degrees and moments in the involved limb during all tasks. Greater knee joint moments and joint reaction forces versus decreased ankle joint moments and joint reaction forces in the involved side indicate elevated knee joint loads compared with reduced ankle joint loads that are present during normal activities after an ATR. In the frontal plane, increased subtalar eversion angles and eversion moments in the involved side were demonstrated only during jogging and running, which were regarded as an indicator for greater medial knee joint loading. It seems after an ATR, the elongated AT accompanied by decreased plantarflexion degrees and calf muscle strength deficits indicates ankle joint function impairment in the injured leg. In addition, increased knee extensor muscle strength and knee joint loads may be a possible compensatory mechanism for decreased ankle function. These data suggest patients after an ATR may suffer from increased knee overuse injury risk.

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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Sensitivity Analysis of Muscle Parameters for Expedited Recovery Utilizing an OpenSim Model for Lower Extremities

Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering ◽

10.1115/imece2018-87042 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Adam Novotny ◽

Manish Paliwal

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Joint Reaction Forces ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscles ◽

Joint Reaction

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by anterior knee pain. The symptoms associated with PFPS can be further aggravated through activities that increase patellofemoral compressive forces. Despite the number of mechanisms that are considered to contribute to this disorder, there is no consensus about its etiology, causing difficulty in prescribing the appropriate treatment or physical therapy. To properly evaluate PFPS, the influences of various muscles and their geometries on knee joint reaction forces for a human subject during a normal gait cycle were observed by conducting parametric analysis using OpenSim. The muscles that were seen to be most critical and have a potential effect in reducing the pain experienced at the knee joint are the soleus, iliopsoas, and gastrocnemius muscles. It was observed that individually increasing the length of the soleus and iliopsoas muscles from 75% to 125% of their default lengths resulted in decrease in knee joint reaction forces of up to 400 N (57%) in the x-direction and 600 N (40%) in the y-direction for the soleus and 550 N (38%) in the x-direction and 1000 N (29%) in the y-direction for the iliopsoas. It was also seen that by indirectly reducing the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscles from 125% to 75% of their default value resulted in decreases in knee joint reaction forces of up to 250 N (50%) in the x-direction and 500 N (42%) in the y-direction. Therefore, exercises should be advised to specifically stretch or strengthen the soleus and iliopsoas, and the gastrocnemius muscles should be rested. Pain and recovery time may be substantially reduced with the utilization of a targeted physiotherapy treatment plan. It can be coupled with longterm physiotherapy program for improving muscle fitness.

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