Influence of Externally Applied Moments and Loads on Knee Kinematics: A Cadaveric Study of Single- and Multi-Axis Loading of the Knee

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are severe sports injuries which tend to occur in younger populations. These injuries are quite prevalent, affecting 1 in 3000 Americans. Studies have shown female athletes are two-to-eight times more susceptible to ACL injuries than their male counterparts. ACL injuries are devastating to young athletes and often require a year of rehabilitation and pose a significantly greater risk for developing knee osteoarthritis. Many advances have been made with regard to surgical instrumentation and techniques, as well as rehabilitation programs, but none of these improvements have been proven to reduce the odds of developing osteoarthritis after ACL injury. The aims of the current study were to evaluate cadaveric knee kinematics to better understand ACL injury modalities.In this study, a total of 18 cadaveric knee specimens (age 44 +/- 8 years, 10 female and 8 male, 10 right and 8 left limbs) were tested under 65 loading conditions with and without Tekscan digital pressure sensors inserted between the tibial plateau and the meniscus. The tests were performed on a force couple testing system (FCTS) with simulated quadriceps (300 N) and hamstrings (180 N) muscle loads along with a joint compressive force (150 N). Similar trends were observed between knee kinematics obtained from this study and results obtained from previous studies. No significant differences in knee kinematics were observed between the specimens with and without Tekscan sensors. This study suggests the FCTS is a validated method for investigating in vitro knee kinematics and biomechanics.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Bioengineering

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioengineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Ditto, Richard Charles

Contributors dc:contributor

• Goel, Vijay
• Demetropoulos, Constantine

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical Research
• Sports Medicine

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1364298743

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:toledo1364298743