Extrinsic and intrinsic index finger muscle attachments in an OpenSim upper-extremity model

Musculoskeletal models allow estimation of muscle function during complex tasks. We used objective methods to determine possible attachment locations for index finger muscles in an OpenSim upper-extremity model. Data-driven optimization algorithms, Simulated Annealing and Hook-Jeeves, estimated tendon locations crossing the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints by minimizing the difference between model-estimated and experimentally-measured moment arms. Sensitivity analysis revealed that multiple sets of muscle attachments with similar optimized moment arms are possible, requiring additional assumptions or data to select a single set of values. The most smooth muscle paths were assumed to be biologically reasonable. Estimated tendon attachments resulted in variance accounted for (VAF) between calculated moment arms and measured values of 78% for flex/extension and 81% for ab/adduction at the MCP joint. VAF averaged 67% at the PIP joint and 54% at the DIP joint. VAF values at PIP and DIP joints partially reflected the constant moment arms reported for muscles about these joints. However, all moment arm values found through optimization were non-linear and non-constant. Relationships between moment arms and joint angles were best described with quadratic equations for tendons at the PIP and DIP joints.