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Published on: November 9, 2018
Application of robotic technology in biomechanics to study joint laxity
B Mangan1, M B Hurtig, J P Dickey
1Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. West, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Primary Objective:
To evaluate whether in vitro joint testing using a robot with six degrees of freedom is useful for evaluating changes in joint laxity as a result of chronic osteoarthritis (OA).
Research Design:
Repeated measures.
Methods:
Broyden's method of solving nonlinear systems of equations drove a hybrid method of load and position robotic control. Sheep stifles (knee joints) were loaded between 3 Nm of internal load through to 3 Nm of external load in 1 Nm increments. Kinematic and morphologic data from five healthy ovine stifles were compared to the chronic OA effects in four surgically destabilized stifles.
Results:
Stifles with chronic OA showed increases in stiffness while range of motion decreased. Gross morphologic changes included osteophytes and cartilage fibrillation.
Discussion:
Robotic testing proved useful for evaluating changes in joint mechanics as a result of chronic OA. We observed morphological changes and associated increases in joint stiffness and decreased laxity.
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