Development of a Canine Rigid Body Musculoskeletal Computer Model to Evaluate Gait.

Background: Kinematic and kinetic analysis have been used to gain an understanding of canine movement and joint loading during gait. By non-invasively predicting muscle activation patterns and forces during gait, musculoskeletal models can further our understanding of normal variability and muscle activation patterns and force profiles characteristic of gait.

Methods: Pelvic limb kinematics and kinetics were measured for a 2 year old healthy female Dachshund (5.

A three dimensional multiplane kinematic model for bilateral hind limb gait analysis in cats.

Background: Kinematic gait analysis is an important noninvasive technique used for quantitative evaluation and description of locomotion and other movements in healthy and injured populations. Three dimensional (3D) kinematic analysis offers additional outcome measures including internal-external rotation not characterized using sagittal plane (2D) analysis techniques.

Methods: The objectives of this study were to 1) develop and evaluate a 3D hind limb multiplane kinematic model for gait analysis in cats using joint coordinate systems, 2) implement and compare two 3D stifle (knee) prediction techniques, and 3) compare flexion-extension determined using the multiplane model to a sagittal plane model.

Why Owners Choose an Orthosis Over Stifle Surgery for Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficiency.

The objective of this study was to describe the patient population of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficiency that were prescribed a stifle orthosis. A total of 215 client-owned dogs with previously diagnosed CrCL deficiency were prescribed a stifle orthosis at a veterinary pain management and mobility clinic. Patient intake data collected included dog signalment, chief medical complaint, home environment and activity description, medical and surgical history, and diagnosing veterinarian.

Canine cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle biomechanics associated with extra-articular stabilization predicted using a computer model.

Objective: To evaluate lateral fabellotibial suture (LFTS) and TightRope CCL (TR) extra-articular stabilization biomechanics in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient canine stifle joint during the stance phase of gait.

Study Design: Computer simulations.

Animals: Healthy 33-kg Golden Retriever.

Biomechanics of an orthosis-managed cranial cruciate ligament-deficient canine stifle joint predicted by use of a computer model.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of an orthosis on biomechanics of a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient canine stifle joint by use of a 3-D quasistatic rigid-body pelvic limb computer model simulating the stance phase of gait and to investigate influences of orthosis hinge stiffness (durometer). SAMPLE A previously developed computer simulation model for a healthy 33-kg 5-year-old neutered Golden Retriever. PROCEDURES A custom stifle joint orthosis was implemented in the CrCL-deficient pelvic limb computer simulation model.

Canine Stifle Biomechanics Associated With a Novel Extracapsular Articulating Implant Predicted Using a Computer Model.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the Simitri Stable in Stride™ extracapsular articulating implant (EAI) on canine stifle biomechanics in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle using a 3-dimensional (3D) quasi-static rigid body canine pelvic limb computer model simulating the stance phase of gait.

Study Design: Computer simulations.

Animals: Five-year-old neutered male golden retriever (33 kg).

Influence of biomechanical parameters on cranial cruciate ligament-deficient or -intact canine stifle joints assessed by use of a computer simulation model.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of 4 biomechanical parameters on canine cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-intact and -deficient stifle joints. SAMPLE Data for computer simulations of a healthy 5-year-old 33-kg neutered male Golden Retriever in a previously developed 3-D rigid body pelvic limb computer model simulating the stance phase during walking. PROCEDURES Canine stifle joint biomechanics were assessed when biomechanical parameters (CrCL stiffness, CrCL prestrain, body weight, and stifle joint friction coefficient) were altered in the pelvic limb computer simulation model.

Canine Stifle Biomechanics Associated With Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Predicted Using a Computer Model.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on canine biomechanics in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle using a 3-dimensional quasi-static rigid body pelvic limb computer model simulating the stance phase of gait.

Study Design: Computer simulations.

Animals: A 5-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever weighing 33 kg.

Canine stifle joint biomechanics associated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy predicted by use of a computer model.

Objective: To evaluate effects of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on canine stifle joint biomechanics in a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joint by use of a 3-D computer model simulating the stance phase of gait and to compare biomechanics in TPLO-managed, CrCL-intact, and CrCL-deficient stifle joints.

Sample: Computer simulations of the pelvic limb of a Golden Retriever.

Procedures: A previously developed computer model of the canine pelvic limb was used to simulate TPLO stabilization to achieve a tibial plateau angle (TPA) of 5° (baseline value) in a CrCL-deficient stifle joint.

Evaluation of varying morphological parameters on the biomechanics of a cranial cruciate ligament-deficient or intact canine stifle joint with a computer simulation model.

Objective: To investigate the influence of varying morphological parameters on canine stifle joint biomechanics by use of a 3-D rigid-body canine pelvic limb computer model that simulated an intact and cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joint across the stance phase of gait at a walk.

Sample: Data from computer simulations.

Procedures: Computer model morphological parameters, including patellar ligament insertion location, tibial plateau angle (TPA), and femoral condyle diameter (FCD), were incrementally altered to determine their influence on outcome measures (ligament loads, relative tibial translation, and relative tibial rotation) during simulation of the stance phase of gait at a walk.

Paediatric bed fall computer simulation model development and validation.

Falls from beds and other household furniture are common scenarios stated to conceal child abuse. Knowledge of the biomechanics associated with short-distance falls may aid clinicians in distinguishing between abusive and accidental injuries. Computer simulation is a useful tool to investigate injury-producing events and to study the effect of altering event parameters on injury risk.

Transportation safety standards for wheelchair users: a review of voluntary standards for improved safety, usability, and independence of wheelchair-seated travelers.

Safe transportation for wheelchair users who do not transfer to the vehicle seat when traveling in motor vehicles requires after-market wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems (WTORS) to secure the wheelchair and provide crashworthy restraint for the wheelchair-seated occupant. In the absence of adequate government safety standards, voluntary standards for the design and performance of WTORS, and for wheelchairs used as seats in motor vehicles, have been developed. The initial versions of these standards qualify equipment for use in all types and sizes of motor vehicles using a 30-mph (48-kph), 20-g frontal sled-impact test.

Effect of wheelchair headrest use on pediatric head and neck injury risk outcomes during rear impact.

Comparative risks or benefits to wheelchair-seated pediatric occupants in motor vehicles associated with wheelchair headrest use during rear impact were evaluated using pediatric head and neck injury outcome measures. A Hybrid III 6-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD), seated in identical WC19-compliant pediatric manual wheelchairs, was used to measure head and neck response during a 25 km/h (16 mph), 11 g rear impact. ATD responses were evaluated across two test scenarios: three sled tests conducted without headrests, and three with slightly modified commercial headrests.

Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system issues in the real world and the virtual world: combining qualitative and quantitative research approaches.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that transit providers accommodate passengers who use "common wheelchairs" when traveling in a motor vehicle. Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems are commonly used to secure wheelchairs and restrain occupants in fixed-route and demand route transit vehicles. Throughout the 17 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act has been in effect, transit providers have complained about the usability of wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems, and improper securement has been linked to injuries among wheelchair users during "nonimpact incidents.

Riding a bus while seated in a wheelchair: A pilot study of attitudes and behavior regarding safety practices.

A total of 283 wheelchair-seated bus riders responded to a 35-item Web-based survey investigating their experiences on public, fixed-route buses. The survey addressed the use of wheelchair tiedowns and occupant restraint systems (WTORS), the attitudes and behaviors of wheelchair users toward the use of this equipment, and the transit experience. Results indicate that consistent use of four-point tiedown and occupant restraint systems is fairly low.

Isometric performance following total hip arthroplasty and rehabilitation.

We compared differences in isometric strength between older adults who have undergone elective unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) and completed rehabilitation with a population of community-dwelling older adults who have not had THA. The study was a cross-sectional design, and 22 unilateral THA subjects and 38 community-dwelling older adults participated. THA subjects received on average 13 outpatient or home-based physical therapy sessions before evaluation.

Pilot study of safety belt usability for vehicle occupants seated in wheelchairs.

This study investigates the usability of wheelchair occupant restraint systems (WORS) that are used for crash protection of individuals seated in wheelchairs during motor vehicle transit. Ten independent adults with significant functional limitations who use wheelchairs for primary mobility were observed and interviewed while performing reach and manipulation tasks associated with WORS usage. Participants' opinions on ease of use and comfort-related factors were obtained for four occupant restraint scenarios.

Femur fractures resulting from stair falls among children: an injury plausibility model.

Background: Stair falls are common among young children and are also common false histories in cases of child abuse. When a child presents with a femur fracture and a stair-fall history, a judgment of plausibility must be made. A lack of objective injury and biomechanical data makes plausibility determination more difficult.

Wheelchair seating: a state of the science report.

Regardless of the field, agenda-setting processes are integral to establishing research and development priorities. Beginning in 1998, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research mandated that each newly funded Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center (RERC) hold a state-of-the-science consensus forum during the third year of its 5-year funding cycle. NIDRR's aim in formalizing this agenda-setting process was to facilitate the formulation of future research and development priorities for each respective RERC.

Wheelchair caster loading during frontal impact.

Many wheelchair users are required or choose to use their wheelchairs as a motor vehicle seat during transport. It is therefore key that the wheelchair components be designed to tolerate crash-level loading conditions. Casters are particularly prone to failure under crash loading conditions.

Influence of fall height and impact surface on biomechanics of feet-first free falls in children.

Objective: The objectives of our study were to assess biomechanics associated with feet-first free falls in 3-year-old children and to investigate the influence of impact surface type and fall height on key biomechanical measures associated with injury risk.

Methods: Repeatable feet-first free fall experiments were conducted in a laboratory mock-up environment using an instrumented Hybrid II 3-year-old test dummy. Impact surface type and fall height were varied to examine their influence on biomechanical measures.

Isokinetic performance after total hip replacement.

Objective: To evaluate differences in isokinetic hip flexion, extension, and abduction muscle performance of operated vs. nonoperated hips in older adults who have undergone elective, unilateral, total hip replacement (THR) surgery and completed rehabilitation.

Design: Quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent posttest-only control group design, comprising 20 unilateral THR patients and a convenience sample of 22 healthy older adults.

Using test dummy experiments to investigate pediatric injury risk in simulated short-distance falls.

Background: Short-distance falls, such as from a bed, are often falsely reported scenarios in child abuse. In attempting to differentiate between abusive and nonabusive injury, knowledge of factors that affect injury risk in falls could prove useful.

Objectives: To assess the biomechanics associated with simulated short-distance falls in children (one fall scenario, without attempting to maximize injury potential) and to investigate the effect of impact surface type on injury risk.