Effect of Model Parameters on the Biomechanical Behavior of the Finite Element Cervical Spine Model.

Finite element (FE) models have frequently been used to analyze spine biomechanics. Material parameters assigned to FE spine models are generally uncertain, and their effect on the characterization of the spinal components is not clear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of model parameters on the range of motion, stress, and strain responses of a FE cervical spine model.

Direct Validation of Model-Predicted Muscle Forces in the Cat Hindlimb During Locomotion.

Various methods are available for simulating the movement patterns of musculoskeletal systems and determining individual muscle forces, but the results obtained from these methods have not been rigorously validated against experiment. The aim of this study was to compare model predictions of muscle force derived for a cat hindlimb during locomotion against direct measurements of muscle force obtained in vivo. The cat hindlimb was represented as a 5-segment, 13-degrees-of-freedom (DOF), articulated linkage actuated by 25 Hill-type muscle-tendon units (MTUs).

Gait Analysis of Patients Subjected to the Atrophic Mandible Augmentation with Iliac Bone Graft.

In this study, we aimed to quantitatively monitor and describe the gait functions of patients, who underwent iliac crest bone grafting in atrophic jaw augmentation operation, by taking into account the alterations of gait parameters and muscle forces in the early recovery course. To do so, temporospatial and kinematic gait parameters of ten patients during pre- and postoperative periods were recorded, and forces of the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and iliacus muscles were calculated. Three postoperative periods were specified as one week (post-op1), two weeks (post-op2), and three weeks (post-op3) after the surgery.

EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE VITAMIN C AND HYALURONIC ACID ON TENDON HEALING.

Objective: To assess the histopathologic and biomechanical effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) and high-dose vitamin C (VC) on rat Achilles tendon healing.

Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to HA and VC and control groups with equal numbers. Each group was further divided into two subgroups to be sacrificed on Day 15 (n=8) and Day 30 (n=8).

Biomechanical, histological, and radiological effects of different phosphodiesterase inhibitors on femoral fracture healing in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the biomechanical, histological, and radiological effects of sildenafil and pentoxifylline on femoral fracture healing in rats.

Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups equally according to the pharmacological agents to be investigated. Femoral shaft fractures were formed in the left side.