ERBAL
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- Space Physiology
- Robotics
ERBAL
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
- …
- Space Physiology
- Robotics
Biomechanical Responses of the Knee Complex to a Non-Linear Spring-Loaded Knee Joint Orthosis
Collaboration between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Orlando Health Hospital, and GRD Biomechanics
Abstract
The use of knee orthosis, specifically on the tibiofemoral joint, has become the preferred treatment method for rehabilitation and injury prevention. Recent orthotic designs have proposed the use of springs to store energy during motion and provide assistance to the lower extremity. However, the biomechanical influence of orthotics at the knee joint has not been quantified. As such, this study aims to quantify the biomechanical response of the tibiofemoral joint complex to a non-linear spring-loaded knee joint orthosis (KJO). Joint angles, moments, and forces obtained from two dynamic trials were applied to a newly developed computational musculoskeletal model, and a static equilibrium problem was solved at each instant during the squat cycle, with and without a non-linear spring-loaded KJO, to find individual muscle forces of the lower extremity. The KJO was seen to increase the gluteus maximus muscle force while decreasing the soleus muscle force throughout the squat cycle. Due to the increased activation occurring in the gluteus maximus and the decrease in the rectus femoris during the brace-on descent, the knee joint axis moved in a less anterior direction than in the brace-off descent. As a result, the pelvis translated in a more posterior direction due to the tension supplied by the gluteus maximus and the ease of the soleus. Furthermore, hip and knee flexion were decreased in the upright position during the brace-on conditions. Results suggest that the KJO could be used as a performance tool to encourage a more balanced synergy that employs the posterior chain musculature versus a quadriceps dominant strategy while preventing hyperextension tendencies. In addition, the model created in this study paired with the inverse dynamics approach could contribute to the current knowledge of biomechanical response estimations in clinical movement and force production analysis aiding physical therapist and orthopedic specialist in prescribing the most appropriate KJO to a specific patient.
Results: The NLSL KJO was seen to increase the gluteus maximus muscle force (5.85N ± 0.49N WOB vs. 7.15N ± 1.22N WB) while decreasing both the soleus (123.51N ± 38.5N WOB vs. 56.15N ± 8.71N WB) and the rectus femoris muscle force (45.67N ± 6.26N WOB vs 32.61N ± 4.36N WB) at 60° knee flexion during the descent phase. This relationship between increasing and decreasing muscle tension generated a less anterior translation of the knee joint axis and a more posterior translation of the pelvis. Furthermore, during the WB trial, the subject was observed to have a decrease in knee (4.5° ± 1.10° WOB vs 0.5° ± 1.25° WB) and hip flexion (4° ± 3.10° WOB vs 0.33° ± 1.15° WB) in the up-right position suggesting the NLSL KJO may inhibit movement towards terminal knee extension.
Conclusion: The NLSL KJO was seen to improve the activation in the subject’s posterior chain musculature encouraging a more balanced synergy versus the inherent quadriceps dominant strategy during the squat movement, and encourage a more neutral behavior in the upright position by inhibiting movement towards terminal knee extension.
Publications
- Walck Christine, Huayamave Victor, Osbahr Daryl, Furman Todd, Farnese Tyler,
A patient-specific lower extremity biomechanical analysis of a knee orthotic during a deep squat movement, Medical Engineering & Physics, 2020, ISSN 1350-4533, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2020.04.007.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350453320300606) - Walck, C. D., & Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. College of Mechanical Engineering. (2019). Biomechanical response of the knee complex to a non-linear spring-loaded knee joint orthosis
- Walck, C., Farnese, T., Lim, Y., Huayamave, V., Furman, T., & Osbahr, D. (2019). 4th International Conference 2019 : ABSTRACT BOOK. CMBBE 2019 Abstract Book, 248–248. doi: 10.26754/uz.978-84-16723-14-0
- Farnese, T., Walck, C., Lim, Y., Huayamave, V., Furman, T., Osbahr, D., (2019, August). The effect of non-linear spring-loaded knee orthosis on lower extremity biomechanics. Poster session presented at ISB/ASB 2019 Conference in Calgary, Canada.
- Walck Christine, Huayamave Victor, Osbahr Daryl, Furman Todd, Farnese Tyler,
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