Foot bone kinematics as measured in a cadaveric robotic gait simulator

Whittaker, Eric C.; Aubin, Patrick M.; Ledoux, William R.

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.02.011

Cited by 73 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In addition, Fig. 5a compares joint rotations to the golden standard for in vivo joint kinematics [19] and the in vitro results of Whittaker et al [7]. As reflected by these curves, there is a good inter-specimen repeatability.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

“…In order to investigate foot function under dynamic conditions representative for gait, several groups have developed a set-up for dynamic in vitro gait simulation using cadaveric feet [1,[3][4][5][6][7], all applying forces to the tendons and controlling tibial kinematics, in some cases supplemented with ground reaction forces. Since the first publication on in vitro gait simulation [1], each group has focused on improving several aspects of the existing approaches, being mainly the limited degrees of freedom of the mechanism controlling the kinematics of the tibia, the low gait speed, the limited forces applied to the tendons and the limited ground reaction force magnitudes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the first publication on in vitro gait simulation [1], each group has focused on improving several aspects of the existing approaches, being mainly the limited degrees of freedom of the mechanism controlling the kinematics of the tibia, the low gait speed, the limited forces applied to the tendons and the limited ground reaction force magnitudes. In the most recent simulators most of these targeted improvements were achieved [6,7], thereby improving the validity of simulation results and their relevance for clinical practice. However, some drawbacks remain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This methodology eliminates the need for arbitrary tuning of the tibial kinematics input to the control mechanism for each individual specimen compared to existing approaches. Furthermore, it solves the problem of generating good tibial kinematics control inputs for simulations with feet, having rather extreme dimensions [1,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This allows us to calculate and visualize bone motion in the global reference frame and as such, to provide the reader with data for profound validation of numerical models of the hindfoot [15] and for validation of other in vitro experiments, or in clinical studies that focus on understanding pathological hindfoot kinematics. 7 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

An in vitro approach to the evaluation of foot-ankle kinematics: Performance evaluation of a custom-built gait simulator

Peeters

Natsakis

Burg

et al. 2013

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

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Despite their well known limitations, in vitro experiments have several benefits over in vivo techniques when exploring foot biomechanics under conditions characteristic for gait.In this study, we present a new set-up for dynamic in vitro gait simulation that integrates a numerical model for generating the tibial kinematics control input and we present an innovative methodology to measure full 3D joint kinematics during gait simulations. The gait simulator applies forces to the tendons. Tibial kinematics in the sagittal plane is controlled using a numerical model that takes into account foot morphology. The methodology is validated by comparing joint rotations measured during gait simulation with those measured in vivo. In addition, reliability and accuracy of the control system as well as simulation input and output repeatability are quantified. The results reflect good control performance and repeatability of the control inputs, vertical ground reaction force, center of pressure displacement and joint rotations and translations. In addition, there is a good correspondence to in vivo kinematics for most patterns of motion at the ankle, subtalar and Chopart's joints. Therefore, these results show the relevance and validity of including specimen-specific information for defining the control inputs.

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mentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

An in vitro approach to the evaluation of foot-ankle kinematics: Performance evaluation of a custom-built gait simulator

Peeters

Natsakis

Burg

et al. 2013

Proc Inst Mech Eng H

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Brief communication: A midtarsal (midfoot) break in the human foot

DeSilva

Gill

2013

American J Phys Anthropol

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The absence of a midtarsal break has long been regarded as a derived feature of the human foot. Humans possess a rigid midfoot that acts as an efficient lever during the propulsive phase of bipedal gait. Non-human primates, in contrast, have a more mobile midfoot that is adaptive for tree climbing. Here, we report plantar pressure and video evidence that a small percentage of modern humans (n = 32/398) possess both elevated lateral midfoot pressures and even exhibit midfoot dorsiflexion characteristic of a midtarsal break. Those humans with a midtarsal break had on average a significantly flatter foot than those without. Midtarsal breakers also had significantly more medial weight transfer (pronation) during the stance phase of gait than those without this midfoot mobility. These data are in accordance with Elftman (Clin Orthop 16 (1960) 41-45) who suggested that pronation aligns the axes of the transverse tarsal joint, permitting elevated midfoot mobility.

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Midtarsal joint locking: New perspectives on an old paradigm

Okita

Meyers

Challis

et al. 2013

Journal Orthopaedic Research

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SUMMARY:We investigated the existence of a midtarsal joint locking mechanism using cadaveric simulations of normal gait. Previous descriptions of this phenomenon led us to hypothesize that non-coupled rotations of the calcaneocuboid and talonavicular (i.e., midtarsal) joints and cubonavicular and talocalcaneal joints occur at heel strike and during weight acceptance, after which joint rotations cease with all bone-to-bone orientations remaining constant during the latter portions of stance phase. Three-dimensional kinematics of the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, and navicular were recorded along with muscle and ground reaction forces. Finite helical axis parameters and joint angles of directly articulating bones were subsequently derived and examined. During weight acceptance, the midtarsal joints everted with obvious changes in the relative orientation of their helical axes. The relative non-parallel orientation of these axes then remained constant until late in stance when these joints inverted and dorsiflexed toward their original pre-stance orientation. The cubonavicular and talocalcaneal joints demonstrated complimentary behavior. Contrary to our hypothesis, the midtarsal joints remained compliant during foot flat and even more so during push-off, despite divergent joint axes. Joint rotations were present after weight acceptance, thereby challenging the concept that midtarsal joint locking produces a rigid lever during pushoff. Keywords: foot and ankle modeling; gait simulation; motion analysis; joint locking; midtarsal kinematicsThe foot displays bimodal behavior during the stance phase of walking. During weight acceptance, the forefoot is reasonably flexible enabling it to conform to terrain; upon heel rise and thereafter it stiffens to propel the body forward. 1 This changeover from a flexible to a rigid construct is frequently attributed to the so-called "midtarsal joint locking mechanism," and the most logical explanation for its existence is changes in the relative orientations of calcaneocuboid and talonavicular joint axes. 2 Blackwood and colleagues 3 measured range of motion of the midtarsal joints across static positions of cadaveric feet in an attempt to quantify the midtarsal joint locking mechanism. Other studies calculated joint angles between the tarsal bones during normal gait in vivo 4 and in vitro, 5,6 but the midtarsal joint locking mechanism was only briefly mentioned, without specific attempts to rigorously define the underlying kinematics responsible for this behavior. The purpose of the current study was to search for clear evidence of a midtarsal joint locking mechanism and better define its mechanistic attributes using a broad set of kinematic measurement techniques. The relative motions of the four bones (talus, calcaneus, cuboid, and navicular) comprising the midtarsal joints were measured during dynamic cadaver simulations of gait. We hypothesized that non-coupled joint rotations of the calcaneocuboid and talonavicular (i.e., midtarsal) joints and cubonavicular and talocalcaneal joint...

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Foot bone kinematics as measured in a cadaveric robotic gait simulator

Cited by 73 publications

References 19 publications

An in vitro approach to the evaluation of foot-ankle kinematics: Performance evaluation of a custom-built gait simulator

An in vitro approach to the evaluation of foot-ankle kinematics: Performance evaluation of a custom-built gait simulator

Brief communication: A midtarsal (midfoot) break in the human foot

Midtarsal joint locking: New perspectives on an old paradigm

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