Introduction. There are over ½ million total knee replacement (TKR) procedures performed each year in the United States and is projected to increase to over 3.48 million by 2030. Concurrent with the increase in TKR procedures is a trend of younger patients receiving knee implants (under the age of 65). These younger patients are known to have a 5% lower implant survival rate at 8 years post-op compared to older patients (65+ years), and they are also known to live more active lifestyles that place higher demands on the durability and functional performance of the TKR device. Conventional TKR designs increase articular conformity to increase stability, but these articular constraints decrease patient range of knee motion, often limiting key measures of femoral rollback, A/P motion, and deep knee flexion. Without this articular constraint however, many patients report TKR “instability” during activities such as walking and stair descent, which can significantly impede confidence of movement. Therefore, there is a need for a TKR system that can offer enhanced stability while also maintaining active ranges of motion. Materials and Methods. A novel knee arthroplasty system has been designed that uses synthetic ligament systems that can be surgically replaced, to provide ligamentous stability and natural motion to increase the functional performance of the implant. A computational anatomical model (AnyBody) was developed that incorporated ligaments into an existing Journey II TKR.
Introduction. The role of soft tissue balancing in optimizing functional outcome and patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty surgery is gaining interest. This is due in part to the inability of pure alignment to demonstrate excellent functional outcomes 6. Consistent soft tissue balancing has been aided by novel technologies that can quantify loads across the joint at the time of surgery 4. In theory, compressive load equilibrium should be correlated with ligamentous equilibrium between the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The authors propose to use the Collateral
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical determinant of tissue mechanobiology, yet remains poorly characterized in joint tissues beyond cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). This review aimed to define the composition and architecture of non-cartilage soft joint tissue structural ECM in human OA, and to compare the changes observed in humans with those seen in animal models of the disease. A systematic search strategy, devised using relevant matrix, tissue, and disease nomenclature, was run through the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases. Demographic, clinical, and biological data were extracted from eligible studies. Bias analysis was performed.Aims
Methods
Introduction. The role of soft tissue balancing in optimising functional outcome and patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty surgery is gaining interest. Consistent soft tissue balancing has been aided by novel technologies that can quantify loads across the joint at the time of surgery. Based on free body diagram theory, compressive load equilibrium should be correlated with ligamentous equilibrium between the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The authors propose to use the Collateral
The lateral ligaments of the ankle composed of the anterior talofibular (ATFL), calcaneofibular (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligaments (PTFL), are amongst the most commonly injured ligaments of the human body. Although treatment methods have been explored exhaustively, healing outcomes remain poor with high rates of re-injury, chronic ankle instability and pain persisting. The introduction and application of tissue engineering methods may target poor healing outcomes and eliminate long-term complications, improving the overall quality of life of affected individuals. For any surgical procedure or tissue-engineered replacement to be successful, a comprehensive understanding of the complete anatomy of the native structure is essential. Knowledge of the dimensions of ligament footprints is vitally important for surgeons as it guides the placement of bone tunnels during repair. It is also imperative in tissue-engineered design as the creation of a successful replacement relies on a thorough understanding of the native anatomy and microanatomical structure. Several studies explore techniques to describe ligament footprints around the body, with limited studies describing in-depth footprint dimensions of the ATFL, CFL and PTFL. Techniques currently used to measure ligament footprints are complex and require resources which may not be readily available, therefore a new methodology may prove beneficial. This study explores the application of a novel technique to assess the footprint of ankle ligaments through a straightforward inking method. This method aims to enhance surgical technique and contribute to the development of a tissue-engineered analogue based on real anatomical morphometric data. Cadaveric dissection of the ATFL, CFL and PTFL was performed on 12 unpaired fresh frozen ankles adhering to regulations of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act. The ankle complex with attaching ligaments was immersed in methylene blue. Dissection of the proximal and distal entheses of each ligament was carried out to reveal the unstained ligament footprint. Images of each ligament footprint were taken, and the area, length and width of each footprint were assessed digitally.Abstract
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Methods
Carpal bone mechanics are complex and poorly understood. An anatomic model that explains observed kinematic results is yet to be achieved. The aim of this study is to determine if morphologic sub-typing of the STT and TH joints exists. The study used 100 sets of dry disarticulated carpal bones and 50 cadaveric wrists. A digital microscribe was used to reconstruct and measure the articular surfaces of the STT and TH joints and distal lunate of all specimens.
Ultrasound speckle tracking is a safe and non-invasive diagnostic tool to measure soft tissue deformation and strain. In orthopaedics, it could have broad application to measure how injury or surgery affects muscle, tendon or ligament biomechanics. However, its application requires custom tuning of the speckle-tracking algorithm then validation against gold-standard reference data. Implementing an experiment to acquire these data takes months and is expensive, and therefore prohibits use for new applications. Here, we present an alternative optimisation approach that automatically finds suitable machine and algorithmic settings without requiring gold-standard reference data. The optimisation routine consisted of two steps. First, convergence of the displacement field was tested to exclude the settings that would not track the underlying tissue motion (e.g. frame rates that were too low). Second, repeatability was maximised through a surrogate optimisation scheme. All settings that could influence the strain calculation were included, ranging from acquisition settings to post-processing smoothing and filtering settings, totalling >1,000,000 combinations of settings. The optimisation criterion minimised the normalised standard deviation between strain maps of repeat measures. The optimisation approach was validated for the medial collateral ligament (MCL) with quasi-static testing on porcine joints (n=3), and dynamic testing on a cadaveric human knee (n=1, female, aged 49). Porcine joints were fully dissected except for the MCL and loaded in a material-testing machine (0 to 3% strain at 0.2 Hz), which was captured using both ultrasound (>14 repeats per specimen) and optical digital image correlation (DIC). For the human cadaveric knee (undissected), 3 repeat ultrasound acquisitions were taken at 18 different anterior/posterior positions over the MCL while the knee was extended/flexed between 0° and 90° in a knee extension rig. Simultaneous optical tracking recorded the position of the ultrasound transducer, knee kinematics and the MCL attachments (which were digitised under direct visualisation post testing). Half of the data collected was used for optimisation of the speckle tracking algorithms for the porcine and human MCLs separately, with the remaining unseen data used as a validation test set.Abstract
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Methods
Triplane ankle fractures are complex injuries typically occurring in children aged between 12 and 15 years. Classic teaching that closure of the physis dictates the overall fracture pattern, based on studies in the 1960s, has not been challenged. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether these injuries correlate with the advancing closure of the physis with age. A fracture mapping study was performed in 83 paediatric patients with a triplane ankle fracture treated in three trauma centres between January 2010 and June 2020. Patients aged younger than 18 years who had CT scans available were included. An independent Paediatric Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon assessed all CT scans and classified the injuries as n-part triplane fractures. Qualitative analysis of the fracture pattern was performed using the modified Cole fracture mapping technique. The maps were assessed for both patterns and correlation with the closing of the physis until consensus was reached by a panel of six surgeons.Aims
Methods
Hip joint laxity after total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been considered to cause microseparation and lead to complications, including wear and dislocation. In the native hip, the hip capsular ligaments may tighten at the limits of range of hip motion and provide a passive stabilising force preventing edge loading and reduce the risk of dislocation. Previous attempts to characterise mechanical properties of hip capsular ligaments have been largely variable and there are no cadaveric studies quantifying the force contributions of each ligament in different hip positions. In this study we quantify the passive force contribution of the hip capsular ligaments throughout a complete range of motion (ROM). Nine human cadaveric hip specimens (6 males and 3 females) with mean age of (76.4 ± 9.0 years) were skeletonised, preserving the capsular ligaments. Prepared specimens were tested in a 6 degree of freedom system to assess ROM with 5 Nm torque applied in external and internal rotation throughout hip flexion and extension. Capsular ligaments were resected in a stepwise fashion to assess internal force contributions of the iliofemoral (superior and inferior), pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral ligaments during ROM.Abstract
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Methods
While posterior cruciate retaining (PCR) implants are a more common total knee arthroplasty (TKA) design, newer bi-cruciate retaining (BCR) TKAs are now being considered as an option for many patients, especially those that are younger. While PCR TKAs remove the ACL, the BCR TKA designs keep both cruciate ligaments intact, as it is believed that the resection of the ACL greatly affects the overall kinematic patterns of TKA designs. Various fluoroscopic studies have focused on determination of kinematics but haven't defined differentiators that affect motion patterns. This research study assesses the importance of the cruciate ligaments and femoral geometry for Bi-Cruciate Retaining (BCR) and Posterior Cruciate Retaining (PCR) TKAs having the same femoral component, compared to the normal knee. The in vivo 3D kinematics were determined for 40 subjects having a PCR TKA, 10 having a BCR TKA, and 10 having a normal knee, in a retrospective study. All TKA subjects had the same femoral component. All subjects performed a deep knee bend under fluoroscopic surveillance. The kinematics were determined during early flexion (ACL dominant), mid flexion (ACL/PCL transition) and deep flexion (PCL dominant).Background
Methods
In the native hip, the hip capsular ligaments tighten at the limits of range of hip motion and may provide a passive stabilizing force to protect the hip against edge loading. In this study we quantified the stabilizing force vectors generated by capsular ligaments at extreme range of motion (ROM), and examined their ability to prevent edge loading. Torque-rotation curves were obtained from nine cadaveric hips to define the rotational restraint contributions of the capsular ligaments in 36 positions. A ligament model was developed to determine the line-of-action and effective moment arms of the medial/lateral iliofemoral, ischiofemoral, and pubofemoral ligaments in all positions. The functioning ligament forces and stiffness were determined at 5 Nm rotational restraint. In each position, the contribution of engaged capsular ligaments to the joint reaction force was used to evaluate the net force vector generated by the capsule.Aims
Methods
The patella experiences large forces and variable kinematic patterns throughout flexion which could influence function and patient satisfaction after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze in vivo patellar mechanism forces and kinematics throughout flexion to determine influencing factors that may lead to patient dissatisfaction. Fifty subjects were evaluated in this study, 40 having a Journey II bi-cruciate stabilized (BCS) TKA and 10 having normal, healthy knees. Similar demographics were controlled for each group. Each subject performed a deep knee bend. Kinematics were evaluated using a validated 3D-to-2D fluoroscopic technique while forces were determined using a validated inverse mathematical knee model. A two-tailed t-test was used to evaluate statistical significance.Introduction
Methods
The Interosseous Membrane (IOM) of the forearm is made up of ligaments, which are involved in load balancing of the radioulnar joint and the shaft. Motion models of the forearm are necessary for planning orthopedic surgeries, such as osteotomies, which aim at solving limit of the range of motion or instabilities. However, existing models focus on a pure kinematic approach, omitting the physical properties of the ligaments, thus limiting the range of application by missing dynamical effects. We developed a model that takes into account the mechanical properties of the IOM. We simulated the pro-supination by creating an elastic coupling to the desired motion around the standard axis of rotation. We tested our model on a healthy subject, using CT-reconstructed bone models, and literature data for the ligaments. Multiple parameters, including forces of ligaments and positions of landmarks, are output for analysis. The length of the ligaments over pro-supination was in agreement with the literature. Their rest lengths must be recorded in future anatomical studies. The IOM helps in maintaining the contact with cartilage, except in late pronation. Scarring of the central band increases the force generated along the axis of rotation toward the wrist, while scarring of the proximal part does the opposite in pronation. In contrast to kinematic models, the proposed model is helpful to study the effect of physical properties of the IOM, such scarring, on the forearm motion. Future work will be to apply our model to pathological cases, and to compare to clinical observations.
Whilst lateral ankle sprain is often considered a benign injury it represents between 3–5% of all A&E visits in the UK. The mechanical characteristics of ankle ligaments under sprain-like conditions are scarcely reported. The lateral collateral ankle ligaments were dissected from n=6 human cadaveric specimens to produce individual bone-ligament-bone specimens. An Instron Electropuls E10000 was used to uni-axially load the ankle ligaments in tension. The ligaments were first preconditioned between 2 N and a load value corresponding to 3.5% strain for 15 cycles and then strained to failure at a rate of 100%/s. The mean ultimate failure loads and their standard deviations for the anterior talofibular (ATFL), calcaneofibular (CFL) and posterior talofibular (PTFL) ligaments are 351.4±105.6 N, 367.8±76.1 N and 263.6±156.6 N, respectively. Whilst the standard deviation values are high they align with those previously reported for ankle ligament characterisation. The large standard deviations are partly due to the inherent variability of human cadaveric tissue but could also be due to varying previous activity levels of participants or a prior unreported ankle sprain. Although the sample size is relatively small the results were stratified to identify any potential correlations of age, BMI and weight with ultimate load. A strong Pearson correlation (r=0.919) was found between BMI and ultimate load of the CFL but a larger sample size is required to confirm a link. The ligament failure modes were observed and categorised as avulsion or intra-ligamentous failure. The ATFL avulsed from the fibula in five instances and intra-ligamentous failure occurred once. The CFL avulsed from the fibula twice and failed four times through intra-ligamentous failure. Finally, the PTFL avulsed from the fibula once, avulsed from the talus once and failed through intra-ligamentous failure in four instances. The results identify the forces required to severely sprain the lateral collateral ankle ligaments and their failure modes.
There are over one-half million total knee replacement (TKR) procedures performed each year in the United States and is projected to increase to over 3.48 million by 2030. Concurrent with the increase in TKR procedures is a trend of younger patients receiving knee implants (under the age of 65). These younger patients are known to have a 5% lower implant survival rate at 8 years post-op compared to older patients (65+ years), and they are also known to live more active lifestyles that place higher demands on the durability and functional performance of the TKR device. Conventional TKR designs increase articular conformity to increase stability, but these articular constraints decrease patient range of knee motion, often limiting key measures of femoral rollback, A/P motion, and deep knee flexion. Without this articular constraint however, many patients report TKR “instability” during activities such as walking and stair descent, which can significantly impede confidence of movement. Therefore there is a need for a TKR system that can offer enhanced stability while also maintaining active ranges of motion. A novel knee arthroplasty system was designed that uses synthetic ligament systems that can be surgically replaced, to provide ligamentous stability and natural motion to increase the functional performance of the implant. Using an anatomical knee model from the AnyBody software, a computational model that incorporated ligaments into an existing Journey II TKR was developed. Using the software ligaments were modeled and given biomechanical properties developed from equations from literature. Simulated A/P drawer tests and knee flexion test were analyzed for 2,916 possible cruciate ligament location and length combinations to determine the effects on the A/P stability of the TKR. A physical model was constructed, and the design was verified by performing 110 N A/P drawer tests under 710 N of simulated body weight.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of four major knee ligaments is most crucial ligament to maintain normal knee kinematics. It is well know that ACL dysfunction causes secondary osteoarthritis of the knee. The influence of age on the biomechanical properties of the ACL was examined. The structural properties of 27 pairs of human cadaver knees without OA were evaluated. Specimens were equally divided into three groups of nine pairs each based on age: younger (22 to 35 years), middle (40 to 50 years), and older (60 to 97 years). Tensile tests of the femur-ACL-tibia complex were performed at 30 degrees of knee flexion with the ACL aligned vertically along the direction of applied tensile load. Structural properties of the femur-ACL-tibia complex, as represented by the linear stiffness, ultimate load, and energy absorbed, were found to decrease significantly with specimen age. On the other hand, little has been written about the arthritic ACL. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship among ROM, cross sections of the intercondylar notch and the macroscopic condition of ACL degeneration. Fifty osteoarthritic patients who underwent TKA as a result of severe osteoarthritis were randomly selected. Occupation rate of the osteophytes to the notch width were measured at the anterior 1/3, middle 1/3, and posterior 1/3 notche images obtained from preoperative tunnel view. ROM was measured preoperatively and under anesthesia. Macroscopic conditions of the ACL and PCL were classified into four types of Normal, Frayed, Partial rupture, and Absent. The macroscopic ACL conditions were Normal: 12 cases, Frayed: 15 cases, Partial rupture: 14 cases, and Absent: 9 cases. The macroscopic PCL conditions were Normal: 34 cases, Frayed: 9 cases, Partial rupture: 7 cases, and Absent: 0 case. Occupation rate of the osteophytes to the notch correlated to the preoperative varus deformity (p < 0.05). In terms of ACL, the occupation rate of the osteophytes to the notch were 22.9%, 28.8%, 46.0%, and 81.8% in Normal, Frayed, partial ruptured, and Absent, respectively. The patients with more than 40% occupation rate and less than 110 degree of knee flexion angle showed either partial rupture or absent of the ACL during the surgery. Those results correlated with the degree of OA deterioration. We conclude that occupation rate of the osteophytes to the notch poor preoperative ROM is a good predictor of evaluating the ACL degeneration in osteoarthritic knee. We also conclude that ACL dysfunction due to joint space narrowing accelerates the advancement of the knee OA.
The meniscofemoral ligaments (MFL) of the knee have both functional and clinical importance, but have been poorly described. We examined 42 human cadaver knees: there was at least one MFL in every joint and both ligaments were present in 27. The anterior MFL was present in the knees in all 18 males and in 17 of the 24 females. The posterior MFL was present in 16 males and 22 females. Measurement of the ligaments showed that they were of significant size. The mean midpoint width for the anterior MFL was 5.09 ± 1.41 mm in males and 2.99 ± 1.29 mm in females. The mean width of the posterior MFL was 5.48 ± 2.13 mm in males and 3.79 ± 2.56 mm in females. The average length of the anterior MFL was 27.09 ± 2.15 mm in males and 24.38 ± 3.39 mm in females, and the posterior MFL was 31.13 ± 2.54 mm and 27.59 ± 3.74 mm, respectively. There were anatomical variations in 16 (38%) knees (62.5% female, 37.5% male), more commonly in the posterior ligament. We conclude that the meniscofemoral ligaments are anatomically and probably functionally important structures in the human knee.
