A novel 3D approach for determination of frontal and coronal plane tibial slopes from MR imaging.

Background: The proximal tibia is geometrically complex, asymmetrical, and variable, is heavily implicated in arthrokinematics of the knee joint, and thus a contributor to knee pathologies such as non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury. Medial, lateral, and coronal tibial slopes are anatomic parameters that may increase predisposition to knee injuries, but the extent to which each contributes has yet to be fully realized. Previously, two-dimensional methods have quantified tibial slopes, but more reliable 3D methods may prove advantageous.

Computational Modeling and Finite Element Analysis.

Computational modeling with finite element analysis (FEA) is an integral component of medical device design and development. Researchers assess dimensions and stability of the experimental device; test load sharing, stresses, and strains; and analyze failures and modifications. The most important step in FEA is validation of the model.

Real-time feedback during drop landing training improves subsequent frontal and sagittal plane knee kinematics.

Background: Although neuromuscular training featuring visual feedback may benefit modification of anterior cruciate ligament injury-risk linked knee kinematics, wide-spread clinical intervention has been limited to date. This study evaluated the effects of a Microsoft Kinect-based feedback system for modification of drop vertical jump knee kinematics traditionally consistent with predisposition to non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes. We hypothesized that a four-week feedback training protocol would increase peak knee flexion angle and frontal plane valgus-correlated knee separation distance during drop jump landing performance.

Prediction of contact mechanics in metal-on-metal Total Hip Replacement for parametrically comprehensive designs and loads.

Manufacturers and investigators of Total Hip Replacement (THR) bearings require tools to predict the contact mechanics resulting from diverse design and loading parameters. This study provides contact mechanics solutions for metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings that encompass the current design space and could aid pre-clinical design optimization and evaluation. Stochastic finite element (FE) simulation was used to calculate the head-on-cup contact mechanics for five thousand combinations of design and loading parameters.