Methodology for Robotic In Vitro Testing of the Knee.

The knee joint plays a pivotal role in mobility and stability during ambulatory and standing activities of daily living (ADL). Increased incidence of knee joint pathologies and resulting surgeries has led to a growing need to understand the kinematics and kinetics of the knee. In vivo, in silico, and in vitro testing domains provide researchers different avenues to explore the effects of surgical interactions on the knee.

Assessment of L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion stability in the setting of lengthening posterior instrumentation constructs: a cadaveric biomechanical study.

Objective: Excessive stress and motion at the L5-S1 level can lead to degenerative changes, especially in patients with posterior instrumentation suprajacent to L5. Attention has turned to utilization of L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) to stabilize the lumbosacral junction. However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of stand-alone ALIF in the setting of prior posterior instrumented fusions terminating at L5.

A Novel and Inexpensive Technique for High-Tension Tendon Clamping With Expandable Mesh Sleeving for In Vitro Foot Biomechanics Testing.

In vitro biomechanical testing is common in the field of orthopedics when novel devices are investigated prior to human trials. It is typically necessary to apply loads through tendons to simulate normal activities, such as walking during a foot and ankle study. However, attachment of tendons to linear actuators has proven challenging because of the tendency of clamps to either slip off or rupture the tendon.

Evaluating stability of the craniovertebral junction after unilateral C1 lateral mass resection: implications for the direct lateral approach.

Objective: The direct lateral approach is an alternative to the transoral or endonasal approaches to ventral epidural lesions at the lower craniocervical junction. In this study, the authors performed, to their knowledge, the first in vitro biomechanical evaluation of the craniovertebral junction after sequential unilateral C1 lateral mass resection. The authors hypothesized that partial resection of the lateral mass would not result in a significant increase in range of motion (ROM) and may not require internal stabilization.

Ulnar Extension Coupling in Functional Wrist Kinematics During Hand Activities of Daily Living.

Purpose: Wrist circumduction is increasingly used as a functional motion assessment for patients. Thus, increasing our understanding of its relation to the functional motion envelope is valuable. Previous studies have shown that the wrist is preferentially extended during hand activities of daily living (ADLs), with greater ulnar than radial deviation.