Validation of a novel biomechanical test bench for the knee joint with six degrees of freedom

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 709-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian H. Heinrichs ◽  
Dominik Knierzinger ◽  
Hannes Stofferin ◽  
Werner Schmoelz
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Lateral Collateral Ligament ◽  
Muscle Forces ◽  
Biomechanical Test ◽  
Six Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Flexion Extension

AbstractA novel biomechanical test bench has been developed for in-vitro evaluation of the knee joint. The test bench allows the kinematics of the knee joint to be studied in all six degrees of freedom. Flexion-extension knee movements are induced by quadriceps and hamstring muscle forces simulated by five pneumatic cylinders. The kinematics of the knee and the actively applied muscle forces are measured simultaneously. The aim of this study was to validate the sensitivity and reproducibility of this novel test bench. Four fresh frozen human knees were tested three times, each with seven flexion-extension cycles between 5° and 60°. After the native knees had been tested, the posterior cruciate ligament and then the lateral collateral ligament were dissected. The injured knees were tested in identical conditions [3×(7×5°–60°)] in order to evaluate whether the test bench is capable of detecting differences in knee kinematics between a native state and an injured one. With regard to reproducibility, the novel test bench showed almost perfect agreement for each specimen and for all states and flexion angles. In comparison with the native knees, the injured knees showed significant differences in knee kinematics. This validated novel test bench will make it possible to investigate various knee pathologies, as well as current and newly developed treatment options.

scholarly journals The Effects of External Loads and Muscle Forces on the Knee Joint Ligaments during Walking: A Musculoskeletal Model Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2356
Author(s):  
Carlo Albino Frigo ◽  
Lucia Donno
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Musculoskeletal Model ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Muscle Forces ◽  
Collateral Ligaments ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Lateral Collateral Ligaments ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscles ◽  
External Loads

A musculoskeletal model was developed to analyze the tensions of the knee joint ligaments during walking and to understand how they change with changes in the muscle forces. The model included the femur, tibia, patella and all components of cruciate and collateral ligaments, quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles. Inputs to the model were the muscle forces, estimated by a static optimization approach, the external loads (ground reaction forces and moments) and the knee flexion/extension movement corresponding to natural walking. The remaining rotational and translational movements were obtained as a result of the dynamic equilibrium of forces. The validation of the model was done by comparing our results with literature data. Several simulations were carried out by sequentially removing the forces of the different muscle groups. Deactivation of the quadriceps produced a decrease of tension in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and an increase in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). By removing the hamstrings, the tension of ACL increased at the late swing phase, while the PCL force dropped to zero. Specific effects were observed also at the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The removal of gastrocnemius muscles produced an increase of tension only on PCL and lateral collateral ligaments. These results demonstrate how musculoskeletal models can contribute to knowledge about complex biomechanical systems as the knee joint.

scholarly journals Validation of a Device to Measure Knee Joint Angles for a Dynamic Movement

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirel Ajdaroski ◽  
Ruchika Tadakala ◽  
Lorraine Nichols ◽  
Amanda Esquivel
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Motion Capture ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
Dynamic Movement ◽  
Flexion Extension

Participation in sports has risen in the United States over the last few years, increasing the risk of injuries such as tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. Previous studies have shown a correlation between knee kinematics when landing from a jump and this injury. The purpose of this study was to validate the ability of a commercially available inertial measurement units (IMUs) to accurately measure knee joint angles during a dynamic movement. Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. Validation was performed by comparing the angles measured by the wearable device to those obtained through the gold standard motion capture system when landing from a jump. Root mean square, linear regression analysis, and Bland–Altman plots were performed/constructed. The mean difference between the wearable device and the motion capture data was 8.4° (flexion/extension), 4.9° (ab/adduction), and 3.9° (rotation). In addition, the device was more accurate at smaller knee angles. In our study, a commercially available wearable IMU was able to perform fairly well under certain conditions and was less accurate in other conditions.

INTRA-SESSION RELIABILITY AND REPEATABILITY OF KNEE KINEMATICS IN SUBJECTS WITH ACL DEFICIENCY DURING STAIR ASCENT

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (06) ◽  
pp. 1750092
Author(s):  
MARYAM HAJIZADEH ◽  
ALIREZA HASHEMI OSKOUEI ◽  
FARZAN GHALICHI ◽  
GISELA SOLE
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Joint Rotation ◽  
Stair Ascent ◽  
Acl Deficient

Analysis of knee kinematics and ground reaction forces (GRFs) is widely used to determine compensatory mechanisms of people with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLD). However, the practicality of the measurements is subject to their reliability during different trials. This study aims to determine the reliability and repeatability of knee joint rotations and GRFs in people with ACLD during stair ascent. Eight participants with unilateral ACL-deficient knees performed five trials of stair ascent with each leg. The movements were captured by VICON motion analysis system, and GRF components were recorded using force plate. Three-dimensional tibiofemoral joint rotations were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of multiple correlation (CMC) were calculated ACL-deficient legs showed lower absolute reliability during swing ([Formula: see text]–6.4) than stance phase ([Formula: see text]–2.2) for knee joint rotations. Moderate to high average measure ICCs (0.59–0.98), relative reliability, were achieved for injured and uninjured sides. The results also demonstrated high repeatability for the knee joint rotation ([Formula: see text]–0.97) and GRF ([Formula: see text]–0.99). The outcomes of this study confirmed the consistency and repeatability of the knee joint rotations and GRFs in ACL-deficient subjects. Additionally, ACL-deficient legs exhibited similar levels of reliability and repeatability compared to contralateral legs.

scholarly journals The anterolateral ligament is a secondary stabilizer in the knee joint

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung-Tak Kang ◽  
Yong-Gon Koh ◽  
Kyoung-Mi Park ◽  
Chong-Hyuck Choi ◽  
Min Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Anterolateral Ligament ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Musculoskeletal Models ◽  
Subject Specific ◽  
Cycle Loading

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effect of the anterolateral ligament (ALL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or both ALL and ACL on kinematics under dynamic loading conditions using dynamic simulation subject-specific knee models. Methods Five subject-specific musculoskeletal models were validated with computationally predicted muscle activation, electromyography data, and previous experimental data to analyze effects of the ALL and ACL on knee kinematics under gait and squat loading conditions. Results Anterior translation (AT) significantly increased with deficiency of the ACL, ALL, or both structures under gait cycle loading. Internal rotation (IR) significantly increased with deficiency of both the ACL and ALL under gait and squat loading conditions. However, the deficiency of ALL was not significant in the increase of AT, but it was significant in the increase of IR under the squat loading condition. Conclusion The results of this study confirm that the ALL is an important lateral knee structure for knee joint stability. The ALL is a secondary stabilizer relative to the ACL under simulated gait and squat loading conditions. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2019;8:509–517.

Validation of a Novel 3D-Printed Instrumented Spatial Linkage That Measures Changes in the Rotational Axes of the Tibiofemoral Joint

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Bonny ◽  
S. M. Howell ◽  
M. L. Hull
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Anatomic Landmarks ◽  
Tibiofemoral Joint ◽  
Six Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Position And Orientation

The two kinematic axes of the tibiofemoral joint, the flexion-extension (F-E) and longitudinal rotation (LR) axes [1], are unrelated to the anatomic landmarks often used to align prostheses during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) [1, 2]. As a result, conventional TKA changes the position and orientation of the joint line, thus changing the position and orientation of the F-E and LR axes and consequently the kinematics of the knee. However, the extent to which TKA changes these axes is unknown. An instrument that can measure the locations of and any changes to these axes is an instrumented spatial linkage (ISL), a series of six instrumented revolute joints that can measure the six degrees of freedom of motion (DOF) between two rigid bodies without constraining motion. Previously, we computationally determined how best to design and use an ISL such that rotational and translational errors in locating the F-E and LR axes were minimized [3]. However, this ISL was not constructed and therefore its ability to measure changes in the axes has not been validated. Therefore the objective was to construct the ISL and quantify the errors in measuring changes in position and orientation of the F-E axis.

Helical Axis Data Visualization and Analysis of the Knee Joint Articulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Manuel Millán Vaquero ◽  
Alexander Vais ◽  
Sean Dean Lynch ◽  
Jan Rzepecki ◽  
Karl-Ingo Friese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Lie Algebra ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Helical Axis ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Flexion Extension

We present processing methods and visualization techniques for accurately characterizing and interpreting kinematical data of flexion–extension motion of the knee joint based on helical axes. We make use of the Lie group of rigid body motions and particularly its Lie algebra for a natural representation of motion sequences. This allows to analyze and compute the finite helical axis (FHA) and instantaneous helical axis (IHA) in a unified way without redundant degrees of freedom or singularities. A polynomial fitting based on Legendre polynomials within the Lie algebra is applied to provide a smooth description of a given discrete knee motion sequence which is essential for obtaining stable instantaneous helical axes for further analysis. Moreover, this allows for an efficient overall similarity comparison across several motion sequences in order to differentiate among several cases. Our approach combines a specifically designed patient-specific three-dimensional visualization basing on the processed helical axes information and incorporating computed tomography (CT) scans for an intuitive interpretation of the axes and their geometrical relation with respect to the knee joint anatomy. In addition, in the context of the study of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal articulation, we propose to integrate the above tools into a multiscale framework for exploring related data sets distributed across multiple spatial scales. We demonstrate the utility of our methods, exemplarily processing a collection of motion sequences acquired from experimental data involving several surgery techniques. Our approach enables an accurate analysis, visualization and comparison of knee joint articulation, contributing to the evaluation and diagnosis in medical applications.

Repeatability of Establishing Anatomical Coordinate Systems and the Initial Configuration of the Knee

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Bechtold ◽  
Shon P. Darcy ◽  
Savio L.-Y. Woo ◽  
Richard E. Debski
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Joint Kinematics ◽  
Initial Configuration ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Coordinate Systems ◽  
Joint Injury ◽  
Six Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocols ◽  
Knee Joint Kinematics

Knee joint kinematics are a useful tool for diagnosing joint injury, assessing the effect of surgical procedures, and prescribing the correct rehabilitation protocols. Joint kinematics are measured using coordinate systems defined by anatomical landmarks. A change in location or orientation of these anatomical coordinate systems has been shown to affect the initial knee configuration and knee kinematics in all six degrees-of-freedom (DOF)[1–4]. Several methods have been utilized by researchers, but no universal methodology for determining the location and orientation of the anatomical coordinate systems has been established. The specific aim of this study was to compare the inter-observer repeatability of two methodologies for establishing anatomical coordinate systems and the initial configuration of the knee. The intra-observer repeatability of both methods was also determined to evaluate the effect of training level on establishing the anatomical coordinate systems.

Estimation of ACL Forces Utilizing a Novel Non-Invasive Methodology That Reproduces Knee Kinematics Between Sets of Knees

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shon P. Darcy ◽  
Robert H. P. Kilger ◽  
Savio L.-Y. Woo ◽  
Richard E. Debski
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocols ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
6 Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Rehabilitation Exercises

A non-invasive, non-contact methodology to estimate forces in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in response to in vivo knee kinematics will allow surgical procedures and rehabilitation protocols for ACL injuries to be improved. During the last decade, intensive efforts have been made to quantify the forces in the ACL in vivo (Holden, 1994; Lundberg, 1997; Zacharias, 2001). With the use of these methods, valuable information on the forces experienced by the ACL has been obtained, however many of these methods were invasive, and involved direct contact with the ACL, which may affect the force measurements. It has been proposed at our research center that the forces in the ACL during activities of daily living and rehabilitation exercises can be estimated in a non-contact, non-invasive manner by reproducing in vivo kinematics in 6-degrees of freedom (DOF) on a cadaveric knee. Therefore, the specific aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a non-invasive, non-contact methodology for estimating force in the ACL by reproducing average kinematics in 6-DOF degrees of freedom from one set of porcine knees (source) onto a separate set of porcine knees (target).

Characterization of a Biomechanical Animal Model for Intact Knee Kinematics and ACL Function Using 6-DOF Robotic Technology

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel V. Boguszewski ◽  
Safa T. Herfat ◽  
Christopher T. Wagner ◽  
David L. Butler ◽  
Jason T. Shearn
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Robotic Technology ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Intact Knee

Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) affects an estimated 250,000 people annually [1]. Unfortunately, even with ACL reconstruction, the likely prognosis is long-term osteoarthritis (OA) [2]. Many strides have been made in attempting to understand and improve this outcome. The use of robotic technology has provided an avenue for researchers to examine the ACL’s role in knee joint stability in all six anatomical degrees of freedom (DOF) [3]. The overall goal of our lab robotics research is to use this technology to understand ACL function during activities of daily living (ADLs) in hopes of developing a biomechanical animal model which can be used as a preclinical tool to design new repair methods and materials. We have examined three species (ovine, porcine, and human), measuring all forces and moments produced from displacement control motion paths developed for cyclic testing in a robotic system (KUKA; KR210). This information will provide a basis for comparing intact knee biomechanics and ACL function across species. With these robotic inputs, we have performed a series of studies to aid in the development of a biomechanical model of the human knee.

Using Robotic Testing System to Investigate ACL Reconstructions in Restoring the Normal Knee Joint Biomechanics: Experience at Harvard Medical School

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoan Li ◽  
Hemanth R. Gadikota ◽  
Thomas J. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
Anatomical Reconstruction ◽  
Single Bundle ◽  
Normal Knee

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a debilitating injury associated with various complications such as joint instability, meniscal injury and chronically may lead to osteoarthritis. ACL is believed to be the primary restraint to anterior translation and axial rotation. However, few studies have investigated the alterations to the other degrees of freedom kinematics due to ACL deficiency. ACL reconstruction has been widely accepted to be the standard of care for patients who sustain an ACL rupture to minimize the risk of the complications mentioned above. Widely practiced surgical techniques have yet to prove their efficacy in comprehensively restoring the normal knee joint function. Sub-optimal performance of the conventional single bundle ACL reconstruction has sparked a renewed interest in anatomical reconstruction and alterations to the conventional techniques.

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