Individualized workplace ergonomics using motion capture.

Production workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to excessive workloads that exceed the individual physical capabilities. In order to assess and subsequently reduce the risk to suffer from a MSD at a specific workplace, companies use ergonomic screening methods. However, the current approaches have two major downsides: Firstly, they do not take the individual worker and his/her capabilities into account.

[Movement analysis in spinal cord injuries : Assistance in clinical decision making].

For motor incomplete spinal cord injured patients, improvement of walking function is an important aim in the rehabilitation program. In specialized treatment centers, the 6‑minute walking test, the 10-meter walking test or the timed-up-and-go test are used as an assessment tool to determine walking ability, but these tests are not able to assess the quality of gait. Marker-based movement analysis can be used as a reliable method to evaluate the gait pattern.

Recovery of the medial gastrocnemius muscle after calcaneus fracture differs between contractile and elastic components.

Background: Calcaneal fractures result in severe functional impairments and walking restrictions. Postoperative evaluation mainly focusses on the restoration of calcaneal anatomy while ankle plantar flexor insufficiency remains largely neglected. This study aims to investigate biomechanical and morphologic adaptions of elastic and contractile components of the gastrocnemius medialis after unilateral calcaneal fracture.

Development of the center of pressure velocity in the healing process after intra-articular calcaneus fractures.

Background: Calcaneal fractures are among the most common foot injuries and sometimes develop manifold post-surgical complications. Restricted foot movement is one of the main functional limitations which often persists during long-term rehabilitation. Therefore, it is important to quantitatively monitor the biomechanical foot mobility after calcaneal fracture from an early stage in order to achieve an optimal therapeutic treatment.

Recovery of gait and function during the first six months after tibial shaft fractures.

Background: Tibial shaft fractures require surgical stabilization preferably by intramedullary nailing. Recovery is often unsatisfactory due to limited knee function and pain, resulting in reduced quality of life. The extent of these functional limitations with respect to gait deficits has not been sufficiently recognized.

Gait analysis - Available platforms for outcome assessment.

Movement or gait analysis has become a viable assessment tool not only used in sports science or basic biomechanical research, but has also expanded to be a very valuable instrument in clinical diagnostics, monitoring functional recovery and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. In this context, this method has long been an integral part solely in neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy. However, in the meantime the benefits have also become apparent in other medical areas, such as foot surgery, orthopaedic technology, or in patients after lower limb amputation.

Upper Body Posture and Muscle Activation in Recreational Cyclists: Immediate Effects of Variable Cycling Setups.

: Discomfort during cycling can be counteracted by adjusting the seat position. However, the influence of changes in cycling position regarding quantitative biomechanical adaptions of the upper body in recreational cyclists is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of saddle position and reach distance on upper body kinematics and muscle activation.

Gait characteristics and functional outcomes during early follow-up are comparable in patients with calcaneal fractures treated by either the sinus tarsi or the extended lateral approach.

Background: To overcome the substantial functional loss after calcaneal fractures (CF), surgical treatment currently consists of two strategies, namely the commonly used extended lateral approach (ELA) and the less invasive sinus tarsi approach (STA). Despite the comparable anatomical restoration, the biomechanical and functional outcome of these strategies during early rehabilitation has not yet been investigated.

Research Question: To evaluate changes in gait characteristics and functional development in patients with CF treated by either STA or ELA.