Musculoskeletal modelling of human ankle complex: Estimation of ankle joint moments

Abstract

Word Count Abstract: 227 Word Count Main Text: 4328 Abstract-Background: A musculoskeletal model for the ankle complex is vital in order to enhance the understanding of neuro-mechanical control of ankle motions, diagnose ankle disorders and assess subsequent treatments. Motions at the human ankle and foot, however, are complex due to simultaneous movements at the two joints namely, the ankle joint and the subtalar joint. The musculoskeletal elements at the ankle complex, such as ligaments, muscles and tendons, have intricate arrangements and exhibit transient and nonlinear behaviour.Methods: This paper develops a musculoskeletal model of the ankle complex considering the biaxial ankle structure. The model provides estimates of overall mechanical characteristics (motion and moments) of ankle complex through consideration of forces applied along ligaments and muscle-tendon units. The dynamics of the ankle complex and its surrounding ligaments and muscle-tendon units is modelled and formulated into a state space model to facilitate simulations. A graphical user interface is also developed during this research in order to include the visual anatomical information by converting it to quantitative information on coordinates.Findings: Validation of the ankle model was carried out by comparing its outputs with those published in literature as well as with experimental data obtained from an existing parallel ankle rehabilitation robot.Interpretation: Qualitative agreement was observed between the model and measured data for both, the passive and active ankle motions during trials in terms of displacements and moments.

Closing the Wearable Gap: Mobile Systems for Kinematic Signal Monitoring of the Foot and Ankle

“…According to responses from the I-Corp interviewees, current wearable technology does not provide accurate ground reaction force and ankle complex movement data. Determining ankle complex movement (especially in near real-ime to aid in health and safety-based decision making) has many benefits to both the athletic and rehabilitation industries, as the foot and ankle mobility influence total human movement [24]. Repeated lateral movement or excessive movement beyond normal range of motion of inversion can lead to ankle sprains [25].…”

“…With a clear goal identified (capture data "from the ground up") and a potential replacement IMU sensor direction found, the aim of this study is to evaluate the use of resistive soft robotic sensors at the ankle complex movement level. Determining ankle complex movement in near real-time has many benefits to both the athletic and rehabilitation industries, as the foot and ankle mobility influence total human movement [24]. As repeated lateral movement or excessive movement beyond normal range of motion of inversion can lead to ankle sprains [25], applying resistive soft robotic sensors at the ankle complex may provide information to coaches, trainers, and therapists in preventing over-use injuries and validate proper ankle rehabilitation training exercises.…”

“…Modeling of the ankle complex has provided basic descriptions of foot movement in plantar flexion, a downward movement of the foot; dorsiflexion, an upward movement of the foot; eversion, an outward movement of the bottom of the foot; and inversion, an inward movement of the bottom of the foot. Using these four measures of ankle complex movement has been shown to be effective in studying the differences in passive and active joint movement [24].…”

Closing the Wearable Gap: Mobile Systems for Kinematic Signal Monitoring of the Foot and Ankle

“…With a clear goal identified (capture data "from the ground up") and a potential replacement IMU sensor direction found, the aim of this study is to evaluate the use of resistive soft robotic sensors at the ankle complex movement level. Determining ankle complex movement in near real-time has many benefits to both the athletic and rehabilitation industries, as the foot and ankle mobility influence total human movement [21]. As repeated lateral movement or excessive movement beyond normal range of motion of inversion can lead to ankle sprains [22], applying resistive soft robotic sensors at the ankle complex may provide information to coaches, trainers, and therapists in preventing over-use injuries and validate proper ankle rehabilitation training exercises.…”

Analyzing Uncertainty of an Ankle Joint Model with Genetic Algorithm

“…To make the models clinically-viable, it is important to understand how these uncertainties affect the results or-in other words-what outputs can be expected of the model, when the uncertainties in the parameter acquisition and determination are taken into account. Although, the trend to account for variability of the model parameters has 2 of 12 already been noted in some recent studies on biomechanical modeling [3], most of the available studies on the ankle joint modeling [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] have not focused on this issue.…”