Transhumeral prosthesis use and disuse affects whole-body angular momentum.

Background: Individuals with transhumeral limb loss have an increased risk of falling, potentially resulting from altered upper-body kinematics during gait. The purpose of this study was to investigate whole-body angular momentum as a measure of movement control, to gain an understanding of how these upper-body kinematics contribute to dynamic balance.

Methods: Eight participants with transhumeral limb loss and eight able-bodied control participants completed three gait trials at self-selected speeds.

Transhumeral prosthesis use affects upper body kinematics and kinetics.

Background: Transhumeral (TH) limb loss leads to loss of body mass and reduced shoulder range of motion. Despite most owning a prosthesis, prosthesis abandonment is common. The consequence of TH limb loss and prosthesis use and disuse during gait may be compensation in the upper body, contributing to back pain or injury.

Extended physiological proprioception is affected by transhumeral Socket-Suspended prosthesis use.

The objective of this study was to define targeted reaching performance without visual information for transhumeral (TH) prosthesis users, establishing baseline information about extended physiological proprioception (EPP) in this population. Subjects completed a seated proprioceptive targeting task under simultaneous motion capture, using their prosthesis and intact limb. Eight male subjects, median age of 58 years (range 29-77 years), were selected from an ongoing screening study to participate.

The effect of aging on posterior intertransverse lumbar fusion: a New Zealand white rabbit model.

Study Design: In vivo assessment of lumbar spinal fusion between a younger and older cohort of New Zealand white rabbits.

Objective: Directly compare fusion within young and aged New Zealand white rabbits to establish an aged spinal fusion model translational research.

Summary Of Background Data: Prior studies have utilized skeletally mature young rabbits (6-12 mo old) that may not be appropriate as an analog for studying the aging human spine.

The significance of calcified fibrocartilage on the cortical endplate of the translational sheep spine model.

To gain an understanding of the vertebral cortical endplate and factors that may affect the ability to achieve skeletal attachment to intervertebral implants and fusion, this study aimed to characterize the hypermineralized tissue on the cortical endplate of the vertebral body on a commonly used animal model. Skeletally mature sheep were injected with tetracycline prior to euthanasia and the C2-C3, T5-T6, and L2-L3 spinal motion segments were excised and prepared. Vertebral tissues were imaged using backscatter electron (BSE) imaging, histology, and tetracycline labeling was used to assess bone remodeling within different tissue layers.

Host bone response to polyetheretherketone versus porous tantalum implants for cervical spinal fusion in a goat model.

Study Design: In vivo assessment of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and porous tantalum (TM) cervical interbody fusion devices in a goat model.

Objective: Directly compare host bone response to PEEK and TM devices used for cervical interbody fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: PEEK devices are widely used for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion but are nonporous and have limited surface area for bone attachment.