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Equipment:  2 AMTI Force Plates

http://amti.biz/fps-guide.aspx

Mark W. Creaby, Michael A. Hunt, Rana S. Hinman, Kim L. Bennell, Sagittal plane joint loading is related to knee flexion in osteoarthritic gait, Clinical Biomechanics, Volume 28, Issue 8, October 2013, Pages 916-920

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.07.013

Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Walking; Biomechanics; Knee; Torque

 

Equipment: 2 AMTI Force Plates

http://amti.biz/fps-guide.aspx

Y. Sagawa Jr., S. Armand, A. Lubbeke, P. Hoffmeyer, D. Fritschy, D. Suva, K. Turcot, Associations between gait and clinical parameters in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis: A multiple correspondence analysis, Clinical Biomechanics, Volume 28, Issue 3, March 2013, Pages 299-305

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.01.008

Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis; Gait; Knee alignment; Biomechanics; Pain and functional limitation

 

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Menisci absorb or not?

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An article in press in the Journal of Biomechanics is aimed to provide some clarification in the active role and function of the menisci during knee loads:

The shocking truth about meniscus.

http://www.jbiomech.com/article/S0021-9290(11)00586-0/abstract

Stephen Andrews, Nigel Shrive, Janet Ronsky Journal of biomechanics 19 September 2011 (Article in Press DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.08.026)


 

Heathcare providers have historically been reluctant to consider clinical gait assessment an efficient determinant for the selection of surgical procedures, and many papers have been published on the subject.

Wren et al. recently published a paper (http://www.gaitposture.com/article/S0966-6362(11)00151-2/abstract ) that aims to evaluate the evidence of the clinical efficacy of biomechanical gait assessment. Their approach was to review the literature on the subject since 2000 with a framework previously developed for other diagnostic tests.  The overall idea is to score and count  the selected papers according to their level of efficacy (technical, diagnostic, treatment, patient outcome and societal). In short (and also make you read the paper), the results show that out of the 1528 papers reviewed, 240 addressed gait analysis efficacy and a large percentage of those support the technical and diagnostic efficacy of such assessment.  Perhaps the most interesting part is that the efficacy also seems to expand on the patient outcome and societal levels.

This paper is certainly another step towards the recognition of clinical gait assessment, but more will be needed in order to build a sound case for healthcare providers.

 

ISBS 2011 meeting

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ISB 2011 meeting

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The shoulder is a complex joint, but studies rarely focus on multi-site force analysis.  A recent study by van Drongelen et al (2011) examined the shoulder by quantifying the forces and moments in all three joints of the shoulder complex (glenohumeral, acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular) during wheelchair propulsion and weight relief lifting in various populations.

Paraplegic subject as well as normals were tested with an instrumented wheelchair on a treadmill. A multi-axis load cell was used to measure forces and moments applied by the hand on the wheel rim. Kinematics were also recorded to obtain the orientation of the scapula , clavicle and other upper body segments. Variables analyzed include the net joint moments and joint reaction forces on the glenohumeral, acromio-clavicular and sternoclavicular joints.

Joint reaction forces in the glenohumeral joint were revealed to be 4 times larger than those in the other joints during weight relief lifting. Net moments were smaller in the glenohumeral joint compared to the others, due to external forces stabilizing this joint.

The authors conclude on the necessity of analyzing joint forces in the other joints in the shoulder complex in order to identify possible techniques of reducing shoulder pain.

 

In the last decade, joint implants have been widely studied and developed.

The surgical procedures as well as the biomaterial technologies did evolve with the increasing and younger demand of such surgery.

A recent paper discussed that topic with the focus on the patients’ use and expectations vs the implants’ limits:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704004004576270844211718806.html