Drop foot corrective device

A light weight, economical device to alleviate a plurality of difficulties encountered in walking by a victim suffering from a drop foot condition is discussed. A legband girdles the leg below the knee and above the calf providing an anchor point for the upper end of a ligament having its lower end attached to a toe of a shoe or a toe on the foot. The ligament is of such length that the foot is supported thereby and retained in a normal position during walking

Health-related quality of life, adiposity, and sedentary behavior in patients with early schizophrenia: Preliminary study

Objective: To examine adiposity and sedentary behavior in relation to health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with early schizophrenia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to assess adiposity by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, habitual physical activity and idle sitting time by the Short Form International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and health-related QoL by the RAND Medical Outcomes Study SF-36. QoL scores were compared with age-adjusted Canadian normative population data. Results: There were 36 participants with early schizophrenia, average age 25.1 (±3.6). Twenty-nine (72.5%) were males. Mean illness duration was 30 (±18) months, and mean body mass index was 28.3 (±5). Females had higher body fat content than males (30.8±6.9 vs 24.7±10.6; t=-2.6, df=34; P=0.015). Total body fat (F=14; P=0.001), lean body mass (F=10.2; P=0.001), and sedentary behavior (F=5; P=0.013) significantly increased across body mass index categories. Total body fat was correlated with sedentary behavior (r=0.62; P=0.001), and total lean body mass was negatively correlated with sedentary behavior (r=0.39; P=0.03). Based on SF-36scores, participants had significantly lower physical functioning (P=0.0034), role physical (P=0.0003), general health (P,0.0001), vitality (P=0.03), and physical component scores (P=0.003) than Canadian population comparisons. Habitual sedentary behavior, more than activity or adiposity levels, was associated with health-related QoL in early schizophrenia. Conclusion: Health-related QoL is lower in early schizophrenia and is predominantly experienced in the physical domain. QoL in early schizophrenia relates to sedentary behavior more than to activity and adiposity levels. © 2012 Strassnig etal, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Comparing Outcomes Between the Over-the-Top and All-Epiphyseal Techniques for Physeal-Sparing ACL Reconstruction: A Narrative Review.

A variety of techniques are used for physeal-sparing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; however, there is no clear consensus on the ideal surgical technique, the frequency of complications, and how to best avoid growth disturbance. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes and complications between over-the-top and all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction techniques. The hypothesis was that both physeal-sparing reconstruction techniques are efficacious, with similar risk of growth disturbance and complications. The Embase and PubMed databases were queried for studies on ACL ruptures in the skeletally immature population from 1985 to 2018. Full-text English studies were included (N = 160). Studies reporting rerupture and/or complications after physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction, specifically growth disturbance, were included (n = 10). Studies were separated into 2 groups: an all-epiphyseal group with femoral and tibial fixation points within the epiphysis and a group that had over-the-top femoral and tibial physeal-sparing reconstruction. Complications not specific to the pediatric population were excluded. Demographics, evaluation of skeletal maturity, surgical technique, growth disturbance, rerupture, and patient-reported outcome scores were collected. Data were analyzed in aggregate. The 10 studies included 482 knees. The mean age was 12.0 years; 81% of patients were male; and mean follow-up was 47.7 months. A total of 178 patients underwent all-epiphyseal reconstruction, and 298 had the femoral graft placed over the top. The rerupture rate was 9.0% (16 of 178) in the all-epiphyseal group and 7.2% (14 of 195) in the over-the-top group, of which 82% required revision reconstruction. Six patients had overgrowth in the all-epiphyseal group (mean, 1.8 cm) and 1 patient in the over-the-top group (1.5 cm). Three angular deformities occurred, all of which were in the over-the-top group. Both physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction techniques are successful. Overgrowth was more common in the all-epiphyseal group and angular deformity in the over-the-top group. Rerupture rates were similar between the groups. The authors recommend standardization of skeletal age assessment and baseline lower extremity alignment films

Persistent Biomechanical Alterations After ACL Reconstruction Are Associated With Early Cartilage Matrix Changes Detected by Quantitative MR.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in preventing early osteoarthritis is debated. Restoring the original biomechanics may potentially prevent degeneration, but apparent pathomechanisms have yet to be described. Newer quantitative magnetic resonance (qMR) imaging techniques, specifically T1ρ and T2, offer novel, noninvasive methods of visualizing and quantifying early cartilage degeneration.PurposeTo determine the tibiofemoral biomechanical alterations before and after ACL reconstruction using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate the association between biomechanics and cartilage degeneration using T1ρ and T2.Study designCohort study; Level of evidence, 2.MethodsKnee MRIs of 51 individuals (mean age, 29.5 ± 8.4 years) with unilateral ACL injuries were obtained prior to surgery; 19 control subjects (mean age, 30.7 ± 5.3 years) were also scanned. Follow-up MRIs were obtained at 6 months and 1 year. Tibial position (TP), internal tibial rotation (ITR), and T1ρ and T2 were calculated using an in-house Matlab program. Student t tests, repeated measures, and regression models were used to compare differences between injured and uninjured sides, observe longitudinal changes, and evaluate correlations between TP, ITR, and T1ρ and T2.ResultsTP was significantly more anterior on the injured side at all time points (P < .001). ITR was significantly increased on the injured side prior to surgery (P = .033). At 1 year, a more anterior TP was associated with elevated T1ρ (P = .002) and T2 (P = .026) in the posterolateral tibia and with decreased T2 in the central lateral femur (P = .048); ITR was associated with increased T1ρ in the posteromedial femur (P = .009). ITR at 6 months was associated with increased T1ρ at 1 year in the posteromedial tibia (P = .029).ConclusionPersistent biomechanical alterations after ACL reconstruction are related to significant changes in cartilage T1ρ and T2 at 1 year postreconstruction. Longitudinal correlations between ITR and T1ρ suggest that these alterations may be indicative of future cartilage injury, leading to degeneration and osteoarthritis.Clinical relevanceNewer surgical techniques should be developed to eliminate the persistent anterior tibial translation commonly seen after ACL reconstruction. qMR will be a useful tool to evaluate the ability of these newer techniques to prevent cartilage changes

The effect of ball-handling on lower extremity mechanics in soccer

HRS Honors Research Thesis ScholarshipNearly 240,000 soccer injuries are estimated to have occurred in the United States in 2014 with a high number of them non-contact in nature and involving the lower extremities. These injuries result in time-loss from training or match play, potential psychological consequences, and financial burdens. Epidemiological research suggests that these non-contact injuries may occur more frequently while ball-handling compared to defending in soccer. However, no prior studies have investigated the biomechanical implications of controlling a soccer ball with the feet while running and cutting that may help explain this finding. The purpose of this study was to compare knee and ankle joint moments and angles implicated in non-contact soccer injury mechanisms demonstrated during run-to-cut maneuvers performed with and without dribbling a soccer ball. Our hypothesis was that the cutting maneuvers performed while dribbling a ball would have a detrimental effect on biomechanical parameters associated with non-contact ankle and knee injuries. Seventeen healthy male collegiate soccer players participated in the study. Subjects performed ball-handling and running maneuvers while running straight ahead and also at a 45° cutting angle. All data were collected using three-dimensional motion capture with force plates embedded in the floor. Ball-handling had a significant effect on peak ankle internal rotation angle (p=0.010) and knee abduction angle (p=0.024). Changes in other parameters of interest, including peak ankle inversion moment and peak knee abduction moment, did not reach significance (p>0.05). In conclusion, ball-handling in soccer can detrimentally alter lower extremity joint mechanics of dynamic movements. The results of this study support the need for coaches to consider the implications of an athlete’s sport-specific movements when creating training programs for teams and individuals.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biomedical Scienc

Strain measurement at the knee ligament insertion sites

We describe the modification of an existing method of ligament strain measurement at the knee joint in detail. At ten fresh joint specimens we used that technique where strain gauges are attached to the ligamentous insertions and origins. We both improved the preparation of the attachment site and the application of the strain gauges. In a special apparatus the specimens were moved from 0degrees extension to 100degrees flexion while simulating muscle strength and axial force. Testing was performed at the posterior cruciate ligament with both intact and transsected anterior cruciate ligament. In contrast to other existing techniques it does not affect the motion of the joint or the integrity and the function of the ligaments. Unlike the original description of that method we could register a loading behaviour of the posterior cruciate ligament that is similar to those reported in the literature

Can the outside-in half-tunnel technique reduce femoral tunnel widening in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A CT study

There are different techniques for drilling the femoral tunnel in the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but their influence in the bone tunnel enlargement in unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare two different surgical techniques for evaluating femoral tunnel enlargement in ACLR. The hypothesis was that tunnel placement using the outside-in technique leads to less tunnel enlargement compared to the transtibial technique. METHODS: Forty-four patients treated for ACLR between March 2013 and March 2014 were prospectively enrolled in this study. According to the surgical technique, subjects were assigned to Group A (Out-in) or Group B (Transtibial). All patients underwent CT examination in order to evaluate the femoral tunnel enlargement at four different levels. Moreover, all patients were evaluated with the Lachman test and pivot shift test, and the KT1000 arthrometer was used to measure the anterior laxity of the knee. A subjective evaluation was performed using the 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee score, Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity scale. All patients were assessed after 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, there were statistically significant differences (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In ACLR with a suspension system, the outside-in technique leads to less enlargement of the femoral tunnel lower than the transtibial technique. KEYWORDS: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; CT imaging; Drilling technique; Femoral tunnel enlargement PMID: 28389757 DOI: 10.1007/s00590-017-1950-8 Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google+ LinkOut - more resource

Lattice Boltzmann method to study the contraction of a viscous ligament

We employ a recently formulated axisymmetric version of the multiphase Shan-Chen (SC) lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) [Srivastava et al, in preparation (2013)] to simulate the contraction of a liquid ligament. We compare the axisymmetric LBM simulation against the slender jet (SJ) approximation model [T. Driessen and R. Jeurissen, IJCFD {\bf 25}, 333 (2011)]. We compare the retraction dynamics of the tail-end of the liquid ligament from the LBM simulation, the SJ model, Flow3D simulations and a simple model based on the force balance (FB). We find good agreement between the theoretical prediction (FB), the SJ model, and the LBM simulations

Incidence and mechanism of the pivot shift. An in vitro study.

Accepted versio

Transient Displacement Response to Pulse Excitations on Periodontal Tissues

In the field of dental study it is most fundamental and necessary to estimate the condition of periodontium. In order to examine a mechanical characteristics of periodontium, the theoretical displacement response to periodontal mechanical model (three elements model) are strictly solved in case of some pulse excitations. Impact excitations (rectangular, triangular and half-cycle sine pulse) are given in physical and mathematical definitions and complete solutions to the impact excitations are provided. The triangular pulse excitation which is obtained by means of a fracture of pencil-lead is most suitable. The mechanical parameters of periodontium are given using this input excitation. This is experimentally confirmed by artificial tooth model. The obtained mechanical characteristic of the periodontal tissues can be applied to clinical diagnosis