scholarly journals Biomechanical Study of a Tricompartmental Unloader Brace for Patellofemoral or Multicompartment Knee Osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris A. McGibbon ◽  
Scott Brandon ◽  
Emily L. Bishop ◽  
Chris Cowper-Smith ◽  
Edmund N. Biden
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Statistical Parameter ◽  
Quadriceps Tendon ◽  
Biomechanical Study ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Joint Force

Objective: Off-loader knee braces have traditionally focused on redistributing loads away from either the medial or lateral tibiofemoral (TF) compartments. In this article, we study the potential of a novel “tricompartment unloader” (TCU) knee brace intended to simultaneously unload both the patellofemoral (PF) and TF joints during knee flexion. Three different models of the TCU brace are evaluated for their potential to unload the knee joint.Methods: A sagittal plane model of the knee was used to compute PF and TF contact forces, patellar and quadriceps tendon forces, and forces in the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments during a deep knee bend (DKB) test using motion analysis data from eight participants. Forces were computed for the observed (no brace) and simulated braced conditions. A sensitivity and validity analysis was conducted to determine the valid output range for the model, and Statistical Parameter Mapping was used to quantify the effectual region of the different TCU brace models.Results: PF and TF joint force calculations were valid between ~0 and 100 degrees of flexion. All three simulated brace models significantly (p < 0.001) reduced predicted knee joint loads (by 30–50%) across all structures, at knee flexion angles >~30 degrees during DKB.Conclusions: The TCU brace is predicted to reduce PF and TF knee joint contact loads during weight-bearing activity requiring knee flexion angles between 30 and 100 degrees; this effect may be clinically beneficial for pain reduction or rehabilitation from common knee injuries or joint disorders. Future work is needed to assess the range of possible clinical and prophylactic benefits of the TCU brace.

scholarly journals Vibration Characterization of the Human Knee Joint in Audible Frequencies

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 4138
Author(s):  
Mohsen Safaei ◽  
Nicholas B. Bolus ◽  
Alper Erturk ◽  
Omer T. Inan
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Modal Analysis ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Acoustic Emissions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Human Knee ◽  
Human Knee Joint ◽  
Diagnostic Potential ◽  
Diagnostic Applications

Injuries and disorders affecting the knee joint are very common in athletes and older individuals. Passive and active vibration methods, such as acoustic emissions and modal analysis, are extensively used in both industry and the medical field to diagnose structural faults and disorders. To maximize the diagnostic potential of such vibration methods for knee injuries and disorders, a better understanding of the vibroacoustic characteristics of the knee must be developed. In this study, the linearity and vibration transmissibility of the human knee were investigated based on measurements collected on healthy subjects. Different subjects exhibit a substantially different transmissibility behavior due to variances in subject-specific knee structures. Moreover, the vibration behaviors of various subjects’ knees at different leg positions were compared. Variation in sagittal-plane knee angle alters the transmissibility of the joint, while the overall shape of the transmissibility diagrams remains similar. The results demonstrate that an adjusted stimulation signal at frequencies higher than 3 kHz has the potential to be employed in diagnostic applications that are related to knee joint health. This work can pave the way for future studies aimed at employing acoustic emission and modal analysis approaches for knee health monitoring outside of clinical settings, such as for field-deployable diagnostics.

scholarly journals 309 Calculation of the Knee Joint Force during Deep Knee Flexion

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014.67 (0) ◽  
pp. _309-1_-_309-2_
Author(s):  
Kenji KOGUCHI ◽  
Michihiko FUKUNAGA
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Joint Force

scholarly journals Sport Specialization and Coordination Differences in Multisport Adolescent Female Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1105-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. DiCesare ◽  
Alicia Montalvo ◽  
Kim D. Barber Foss ◽  
Staci M. Thomas ◽  
Timothy E. Hewett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Internal Rotation ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Knee Abduction ◽  
Hip Flexion

Context Early sport specialization, or the participation in 1 sport year-round to the exclusion of all others, is a growing concern in youth athletics because of its possible association with musculoskeletal injury. The underlying injury risk may be the result of coordination differences that sport-specialized athletes have been speculated to exhibit relative to multisport athletes; however, little evidence exists to support or refute this notion. Objective To examine relative hip- and knee-joint angular-motion variability among adolescent sport-specialized and multisport female adolescent athletes to determine how sport specialization may affect coordination. Design Cohort study. Setting Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 366 sport-specialized and 366 multisport adolescent female basketball, soccer, and volleyball players. Intervention(s) Drop–vertical-jump (DVJ) assessment. Main Outcome Measure(s) Average coupling-angle variability (CAV) for hip flexion and knee flexion, knee flexion and ankle flexion, hip flexion and knee abduction, knee flexion and knee abduction, knee flexion and knee internal rotation, and knee abduction and knee internal rotation. Results The sport-specialized group exhibited increased coupling variability in dominant-limb hip flexion and knee flexion (P = .015), knee flexion and knee abduction (P = .014), and knee flexion and knee internal rotation (P = .048) while landing during the DVJ, although they had small effect sizes (η2 = 0.010, 0.010, and 0.007, respectively). No differences were present between groups for any of the other CAV measures of the dominant limb, and no differences were found for any CAV measures of the nondominant limb (all P values > .05). Conclusions Sport specialization was associated with increased variability of critical hip- and knee-joint couplings responsible for effective landing during the DVJ. Altered coordination strategies that involve the hip and knee joints may underlie unstable landings, inefficient force-absorption strategies, or greater contact forces that can place the lower extremities at risk for injury (or a combination of these).

Distribution of the Force in the Knee Joint during Daily Activities after Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Rationale for the Proper Postoperative Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Hansol Seo ◽  
Dohyung Lim ◽  
Young Woong Jang ◽  
Kwan-su Kang ◽  
Myung Chul Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
High Tibial Osteotomy ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Force Distribution ◽  
Tibial Osteotomy ◽  
Edge Region ◽  
Open Wedge ◽  
Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

AbstractThe present study was conducted to evaluate the force distribution in knee joint during daily activities after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). A three-dimensional proximal tibial finite element model (FEM) was created using Mimics software to evaluate computed tomography (CT) scans of the tibia after OWHTO. The anterior and posterior gaps were 7.0 and 12.1 mm, respectively, and the target opening angle was 12 degrees. The loading ratio of the medial and lateral tibial plateaus was 6:4. To evaluate force distribution in the knee joint during activities of daily living (ADLs) after OWHTO, peak von Mises stresses (PVMSs) were analyzed at the plate and posterolateral edge region of osteotomized tibia. ADLs associated with greater knee flexion (sitting 90 degrees, standing 90 degrees, bending 90 degrees, stepping up stairs 60 degrees, and stepping downstairs 30 and 60 degrees) yielded PVMSs ranging from 195.2 to 221.5 MPa at the posterolateral edge region. In particular, stepping downstairs with knee flexion to 60 degrees produced the highest PVMS (221.5 MPa), greater than the yield strength (100–200 MPa). The highest plate PVMS was greater than 300 MPa during ADLs associated with flexion angles of approximately 90 degrees. However, these values did not exceed the yield stress (760.0 MPa). Conclusively, higher force was generated during higher flexion associated with weight-bearing and stepping downstairs produced a high force (even at lower flexion) on the posterolateral area of the tibial plateau. Therefore, a caution should be exercised when engaging in knee flexion of approximately 90 degrees and stepping downstairs in the early postoperative period when patients follow a weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol. However, this study is based on modeling; further translational studies are needed prior to clinical application.

DETERMINATION OF THE STRESS OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT IN VARIOUS DEGREES OF KNEE FLEXION, COMPARISON OF NORMAL AND RECONSTRUCTED LIGAMENT

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150022
Author(s):  
MOHAMMAD TAGHI KARIMI ◽  
SAYED IMAN HOSSEINI ◽  
YOUSEF BAZARGAN LARI
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Normal Condition ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Lateral Collateral Ligaments ◽  
Joint Flexion ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Knee joint stability is enhanced by ligamentus structures such as anterior cruciate (ACL), posterior cruciate (PCL), medial collateral (MCL) and lateral collateral ligaments (LCL). Rupture of ACL is the most common knee injuries, especially in sport related activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stress developed in knee joint structures in various degrees of knee flexion in ACL ruptured compared to normal condition. Method: CT scan images of knee joint were used to create 3d model of knee joint by use of Mimics software. Abaqus software was used to evaluate the stress developed in knee joint in normal and in ACL reconstructed conditions in various degrees of knee flexion. Results: The stress developed in ACL and other knee joint structures increased significantly by increase in knee joint flexion. The stress of knee joint structures (especially in ACL) in ACL reconstructed condition was more than that of normal condition. Conclusion: It is recommended to immobilize the knee joint in extension up to [Formula: see text] of knee flexion in those with ACL injuries. The stress of ACL increased due to an increase in tibia translation associated with knee flexion.

scholarly journals Application of Computational Lower Extremity Model to Investigate Different Muscle Activities and Joint Force Patterns in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients during Walking

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Wook Nha ◽  
Ariunzaya Dorj ◽  
Jun Feng ◽  
Jun Ho Shin ◽  
Jong In Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Inverse Dynamic ◽  
Joint Force ◽  
Joint Contact ◽  
Muscle Activations

Many experimental and computational studies have reported that osteoarthritis in the knee joint affects knee biomechanics, including joint kinematics, joint contact forces, and muscle activities, due to functional restriction and disability. In this study, differences in muscle activities and joint force patterns between knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients and normal subjects during walking were investigated using the inverse dynamic analysis with a lower extremity musculoskeletal model. Extensor/flexor muscle activations and torque ratios and the joint contact forces were compared between the OA and normal groups. The OA patients had higher extensor muscle forces and lateral component of the knee joint force than normal subjects as well as force and torque ratios of extensor and flexor muscles, while the other parameters had little differences. The results explained that OA patients increased the level of antagonistic cocontraction and the adduction moment on the knee joint. The presented findings and technologies provide insight into biomechanical changes in OA patients and can also be used to evaluate the postoperative functional outcomes of the OA treatments.

scholarly journals Role of activation patterns of hip muscles in single-leg squats in healthy patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9_suppl7) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0051
Author(s):  
Matthias Cotic ◽  
Korbinian Ksoll ◽  
Andrea Achtnich ◽  
Knut Beitzel ◽  
Wolfgang Seiberl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Flexion Angle ◽  
Upward Movement ◽  
Downward Movement ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Hip Muscles

Introduction: A risk factor for knee injuries is the medio-lateral displacement of the knee joint during a single-leg squat (SLS). It is to be supposed that different activation patterns of hip muscles are related to the medio-lateral displacement of the knee (1). Yet, little is known about the electromyographic (EMG) ratio between gluteus medius (GM) and the adductor muscles (ADD) at different knee flexion angles (2). Therefore, the EMG ratio between GM and ADD at different knee flexion angles was assessed during the SLS. These data should build a normative data base of healthy controls for getting in-sights on knee injury prevention. Hypotheses: The hypothesis was that according to different knee flexion angles, there is a variabil-ity of the EMG ratio between GM and ADD in healthy patients. Methods: A total of 17 healthy subjects (9 female/ 8 male, age of 25±4 years, BMI of 24±2 kg/m2) were included into the study. Exclusion criteria were Genu varum or Genu val-gum and pathologies which might affect coordination abilities of the lower extremities. Knee flexion angle was captured with a 3D motion analysis system (Vicon Motion Systems, Oxford,UK). Muscle activity of GM and ADD was measured by surface electromyography (Myon AG Schwarzener, CH). The EMG signal (10-500Hz band-pass filter, rectified, 250ms moving average) was normalized to maximum EMG am-plitude during a static maximum voluntary contraction against a handheld dynamome-ter (MicroFET2, Hoggan Scientific, UT, USA). The EMG ratio was defined as muscle activity of GM [%max] divided by muscle activity of ADD [%max]. Every participant did 12 single-leg squats on each side. Results: EMG ratio (median, interquartile range (25th - 75th quartile)) was calculated at the fol-lowing knee flexion angles (mean ± SD): EMG ratio at start position (11°±6°) = 2.5 (1.9 – 4.2), EMG ratio at 40° downward movement = 1.5 (1.1 – 2.7), EMG ratio at 60° downward movement = 1.2 (0.9 – 2.2), EMG ratio at maximum flexion angle (86°±16°) = 1.3 (0.9 – 1.9), EMG ratio at 60° upward movement = 2.0 (1.2 – 3.3), EMG ratio at 40° upward movement = 2.3 (1.5 – 4.4), EMG ratio at end position (8°±6°) = 3.2 (2.3 – 5.4). Conclusion: In the literature, the mean EMG ratios between GM and ADD at maximum knee flex-ion were ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 in healthy patients (3,4) and are comparable to our findings. The knee and hip have to be more stabilized during the upward movement by higher EMG ratios. The lower EMG ratio in the downward phase might be associated, amongst others, with the eccentrical deceleration movement. We assume that the consistently higher activation of the GM is attributed to its function as an essential hip stabilizer as well as to avoid a collapse in the knee joint in every single-leg situation. Therefore, we recommend hip abductor focused training to prevent knee injuries. Our results provide a basis for the comparison with patients and for the interpretation of medio-lateral displacements of the knee joint during a SLS.

scholarly journals Closing the Wearable Gap—Part VIII: A Validation Study for a Smart Knee Brace to Capture Knee Joint Kinematics

Biomechanics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-162
Author(s):  
Alana J. Turner ◽  
Will Carroll ◽  
Sachini N. K. Kodithuwakku Arachchige ◽  
David Saucier ◽  
Reuben F. Burch V ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Motion Capture ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Joint Kinematics ◽  
Knee Brace ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Knee Joint Kinematics

Background: Wearable technology is used by clinicians and researchers and play a critical role in biomechanical assessments and rehabilitation. Objective: The purpose of this research is to validate a soft robotic stretch (SRS) sensor embedded in a compression knee brace (smart knee brace) against a motion capture system focusing on knee joint kinematics. Methods: Sixteen participants donned the smart knee brace and completed three separate tasks: non-weight bearing knee flexion/extension, bodyweight air squats, and gait trials. Adjusted R2 for goodness of fit (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) between the SRS sensor and motion capture kinematic data for all three tasks were assessed. Results: For knee flexion/extension: R2 = 0.799, RMSE = 5.470, MAE = 4.560; for bodyweight air squats: R2 = 0.957, RMSE = 8.127, MAE = 6.870; and for gait trials: R2 = 0.565, RMSE = 9.190, MAE = 7.530 were observed. Conclusions: The smart knee brace demonstrated a higher goodness of fit and accuracy during weight-bearing air squats followed by non-weight bearing knee flexion/extension and a lower goodness of fit and accuracy during gait, which can be attributed to the SRS sensor position and orientation, rather than range of motion achieved in each task.

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