Piloting a Novel Computational Framework for Identifying Prosthesis-Specific Contributions to Gait Deviations.

This paper introduces a novel computational framework for evaluating above-knee prostheses, addressing a major challenge in gait deviation studies: distinguishing between prosthesis-specific and patient-specific contributions to gait deviations. This innovative approach utilizes three separate computational models to quantify the changes in gait dynamics necessary to achieve a set of ideal gait kinematics across different prosthesis designs. The pilot study presented here employs a simple two-dimensional swing-phase model to conceptually demonstrate how the outcomes of this three-model framework can assess the extent to which prosthesis design impacts a user's ability to replicate the dynamics of able-bodied gait.

Footwear and Elevated Heel Influence on Barbell Back Squat: A Review.

The back squat is one of the most effective exercises in strengthening the muscles of the lower extremity. Understanding the impact of footwear has on the biomechanics is imperative for maximizing the exercise training potential, preventing injury, and rehabilitating from injury. This review focuses on how different types of footwear affect the full-body kinematics, joint loads, muscle activity, and ground reaction forces in athletes of varying experience performing the weighted back squat.

A custom, functional and lifelike passive prosthetic hand for infants and small toddlers: Clinical note.

Background And Aim: For infants and small toddlers with congenital upper limb deficiencies, terminal devices mainly provide either cosmesis or functionality. We report a clinical note about fitting a child with a low-cost passive hand targeting both functionality and cosmesis.

Technique: An elastomeric, alloy-wire-reinforced hand was fabricated using additive manufacturing to allow independent positioning of the digits.

Thoracic aortic geometry correlates with endograft bird-beaking severity.

Objective: Aortic geometry has been shown to influence the development of endograft malapposition (bird-beaking) in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), but the extent of this relationship lacks clarity. The aim of this study was to develop a reproducible method of measuring bird-beak severity and to investigate preoperative geometry associated with bird-beaking.

Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed 20 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms or type B dissections treated with TEVAR.

Evaluating the feasibility of two post-hoc correction techniques for mitigating posture-induced measurement errors associated with wearable motion capture.

Wearable motion capture systems are commonly used to measure body kinematics outside of laboratory settings. However, commercially available systems are designed to be used with typically developed adult populations, and assume users begin with a typical standing posture. Individuals with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular pathologies often present atypical postures that can introduce significant errors in kinematics measurements from wearable motion capture.

A New Modeling Method to Characterize the Stance Control Function of Prosthetic Knee Joints.

Objective: Biomechanical models can inform design and optimization of prosthetic devices by connecting empirically derived biomechanical data to device design parameters. A new method is presented to characterize the function of prosthetic stance control under mobility conditions associated with activities of daily living. The method is based on a model of the gait modes corresponding to finite stance control states.

Evaluating and improving the performance of thin film force sensors within body and device interfaces.

Thin film force sensors are commonly used within biomechanical systems, and at the interface of the human body and medical and non-medical devices. However, limited information is available about their performance in such applications. The aims of this study were to evaluate and determine ways to improve the performance of thin film (FlexiForce) sensors at the body/device interface.

Factors impacting participation in sports for children with limb absence: a qualitative study.

Background: Individuals with limb absence benefit from participating in sports. While barriers and facilitators affecting sport participation are well documented for adults, they have not been explored for children with limb absence.

Purpose: To identify the perceived factors impacting participation in sports according to children with limb absence and their parents.

The Effects of Acute Intense Physical Exercise on Postural Stability in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

This study evaluated the effects of intense physical exercise on postural stability of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Center of pressure (CoP) was measured in 9 typically developing (TD) children and 8 with CP before and after a maximal aerobic shuttle-run test (SRT) using a single force plate. Anteroposterior and mediolateral sway velocities, sway area, and sway regularity were calculated from the CoP data and compared between pre- and postexercise levels and between groups.

A Method for Evaluating Timeliness and Accuracy of Volitional Motor Responses to Vibrotactile Stimuli.

Artificial sensory feedback (ASF) systems can be used to compensate for lost proprioception in individuals with lower-limb impairments. Effective design of these ASF systems requires an in-depth understanding of how the parameters of specific feedback mechanism affect user perception and reaction to stimuli. This article presents a method for applying vibrotactile stimuli to human participants and measuring their response.

Effects of cognitive load and prosthetic liner on volitional response times to vibrotactile feedback.

Artificial tactile feedback systems can improve prosthetic function for people with amputation by substituting for lost proprioception in the missing limb. However, limited data exists to guide the design and application of these systems for mobility and balance scenarios. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a noninvasive artificial sensory feedback (ASF) system on lower-limb function in the presence of a cognitive load and a liner interface.

Analysis of terrain effects on the interfacial force distribution at the hand and forearm during crutch gait.

Forces transferred to the upper body during crutch use can lead to both short-term and long-term injuries, including joint pain, crutch palsy, and over-use injuries. While this force transmission has been studied in controlled laboratory settings, it is unclear how these forces are affected by irregular terrains commonly encountered during community ambulation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking speed and uneven terrain on the load magnitude, distribution, and rate of loading at the human-crutch contact surfaces.

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on muscle contusion healing in a rat model.

Background: Current therapy for muscle contusions is usually limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or use of the RICE principle (rest, ice, compression, elevation); thus, other forms of treatment that can potentially accelerate the rate of healing are desirable.

Hypotheses: A local injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) would lead to accelerated healing rates compared with controls; also, delayed administration of PRP would lead to a blunted response compared with immediate treatment.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.