Review of musculoskeletal modelling in a clinical setting: Current use in rehabilitation design, surgical decision making and healthcare interventions.

Background: Musculoskeletal modelling is a common means by which to non-invasively analyse movement. Such models have largely been used to observe function in both healthy and patient populations. However, utility in a clinical environment is largely unknown.

A musculoskeletal modelling approach to explain sit-to-stand difficulties in older people due to changes in muscle recruitment and movement strategies.

By 2050 the proportion of over 65s is predicted to be 20% of the population. The consequences of an age-related reduction in muscle mass have not been fully investigated and, therefore, the aim of the present study was to quantify the muscle and joint contact forces using musculoskeletal modelling, during a sit-to-stand activity, to better explain difficulties in performing everyday activities for older people. A sit-to-stand activity with and without the use of arm rests was observed in ninety-five male participants, placed into groups of young (aged 18-35 years), middle-aged (aged 40-60 years) or older adults (aged 65 years and over).

Serratus anterior weakness is a key determinant of arm-assisted standing difficulties.

The ageing population has led to recent increases in musculoskeletal conditions, with muscle weakness a major contributor to functional decline. Understanding the early phases of muscle weakness will help devise treatments to extend musculoskeletal health. Little is understood of the effects of muscle weakness on everyday activities such as sit-to-stand, a determinant of mobility that, in the early stages of weakness, requires upper limb compensation.

A Femoral Clamp to Reduce Soft Tissue Artifact: Accuracy and Reliability in Measuring Three-Dimensional Knee Kinematics During Gait.

The accurate measurement of full six degrees-of-freedom (6DOFs) knee joint kinematics is prohibited by soft tissue artifact (STA), which remains the greatest source of error. The purpose of this study was to present and assess a new femoral clamp to reduce STA at the thigh. It was hypothesized that the device can preserve the natural knee joint kinematics pattern and outperform a conventional marker mounted rigid cluster during gait.

Rapid calculation of bespoke body segment parameters using 3D infra-red scanning.

Body segment parameters such as segment mass, centre of mass and moment of inertia, serve as important inputs for musculoskeletal modelling. These parameters are normally derived from regression tables; however, can be poorly representative of the study population with variations of up to 40% recorded between different tables. More recent methods, such as 3D scanning, present a rapid and accurate way to produce subject-specific body segment parameters for use in musculoskeletal models.

Analysis of shoulder compressive and shear forces during functional activities of daily life.

Background: Knowledge of forces acting through the glenohumeral joint during activities of daily living is a prerequisite for improving implant design and aiding rehabilitation planning. Existing data are limited by the number of activities performed and, in some cases, the lack of representation of the glenohumeral loading direction, although high shear force components may cause joint dislocation or implant loosening. This study aims to analyse shoulder compression and shear force components during essential functional activities of daily living.