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Introduction: Vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) are altered in patients after foot trauma. It is not known if this correlates with ankle kinematics. The aim of this study was to analyze VGRFs in patients after calcaneal trauma and correlate them to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), radiographic findings and kinematic analysis, using a multi-segment foot model. In addition, we determined the predictive value of VGRFs to identify patients with altered foot kinematics.Methods: Thirteen patients (13 feet) with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, were included an average of two years after trauma surgery. PROMs, radiographic findings on postoperative computed tomography scans, gait analysis using the Oxford foot model and VGRFs were analysed during gait. Results were compared with those of 11 healthy subjects (20 feet). Speed was equal in both groups, with healthy subjects walking at self-selected slow speed (0.94 +/- 0.18m/s) and patients after surgery walking at self-selected normal speed (0.94 +/- 0.29 m/s). ROC curves were used to determine the predictive value.Results: Patients after calcaneal surgery showed a lower minimum force during midstance (p = 0.004) and a lower maximum force during toe-off (p = 0.011). This parameter correlated significantly with the range of motion in the sagittal plane during the push-off phase (r 0.523, p = 0.002), as well as with PROMs and with postoperative residual step-off (r 0.423, p = 0.016). Combining these two parameters yielded a cut-off value of 193% (p <0.001), area under the curve 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.84-1.00).Conclusion: Patients after calcaneal fracture showed lower minimum force during midstance and lower maximum force during toe-off compared to healthy subjects. This lower maximum force during push-off correlated significantly with PROMs, range of motion in the sagittal plane during push-off and radiographic postoperative residual step-off in the posterior fa

Introduction: Vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) are altered in patients after foot trauma. It is not known if this correlates with ankle kinematics. The aim of this study was to analyze VGRFs in patients after calcaneal trauma and correlate them to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), radiographic findings and kinematic analysis, using a multi-segment foot model. In addition, we determined the predictive value of VGRFs to identify patients with altered foot kinematics.Methods: Thirteen patients (13 feet) with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, were included an average of two years after trauma surgery. PROMs, radiographic findings on postoperative computed tomography scans, gait analysis using the Oxford foot model and VGRFs were analysed during gait. Results were compared with those of 11 healthy subjects (20 feet). Speed was equal in both groups, with healthy subjects walking at self-selected slow speed (0.94 +/- 0.18m/s) and patients after surgery walking at self-selected normal speed (0.94 +/- 0.29 m/s). ROC curves were used to determine the predictive value.Results: Patients after calcaneal surgery showed a lower minimum force during midstance (p = 0.004) and a lower maximum force during toe-off (p = 0.011). This parameter correlated significantly with the range of motion in the sagittal plane during the push-off phase (r 0.523, p = 0.002), as well as with PROMs and with postoperative residual step-off (r 0.423, p = 0.016). Combining these two parameters yielded a cut-off value of 193% (p <0.001), area under the curve 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.84-1.00).Conclusion: Patients after calcaneal fracture showed lower minimum force during midstance and lower maximum force during toe-off compared to healthy subjects. This lower maximum force during push-off correlated significantly with PROMs, range of motion in the sagittal plane during push-off and radiographic postoperative residual step-off in the posterior fa

As the most advantageous total hip arthroplasty (THA) operation is the first, timely replacement of only the liner is socially and economically important because the utilization of THA is increasing as younger and more active patients are receiving implants and they are living longer. Automatic algorithms were developed to infer liner wear by estimating the separation between the acetabular cup and femoral component head given a computed tomography (CT) volume. Two series of CT volumes of a hip phantom were acquired with the femoral component head placed at 14 different positions relative to the acetabular cup. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the diameter of the acetabular cup and femoral component head, in addition to the range of error in the expected wear values and the repeatability of all the measurements, were calculated. The algorithms resulted in a mean (+/- SD) for the diameter of the acetabular cup of 54.21 (+/- 0.011) mm and for the femoral component head of 22.09 (+/- 0.02) mm. The wear error was +/- 0.1 mm and the repeatability was 0.077 mm. This approach is applicable clinically as it utilizes readily available computed tomography imaging systems and requires only five minutes of human interaction., QC 20140227

Material and methods Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene cups with a titanium mesh molded on the outside were subjected to wear using a hip simulator. Before and after wear, they were (1) imaged with a CT scanner using a phantom model device, (2) measured using a coordinate measurement machine (CMM), and (3) weighed. CMM was used as the reference method for measurement of femoral head penetration into the cup and for comparison with CT, and gravimetric measurements were used as a reference for both CT and CMM. Femoral head penetration and wear vector angle were studied. The head diameters were also measured with both CMM and CT. The repeatability of the method proposed was evaluated with two repeated measurements using different positions of the phantom in the CT scanner. Results The accuracy of the 3D CT method for evaluation of linear wear was 0.51 mm and the repeatability was 0.39 mm. Repeatability for wear vector angle was 17 degrees A degrees. Interpretation This study of metal-meshed hip-simulated acetabular cups shows that CT has the capacity for reliable measurement of linear wear of acetabular cups at a clinically relevant level of accuracy., QC 20110321

Material and methods Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene cups with a titanium mesh molded on the outside were subjected to wear using a hip simulator. Before and after wear, they were (1) imaged with a CT scanner using a phantom model device, (2) measured using a coordinate measurement machine (CMM), and (3) weighed. CMM was used as the reference method for measurement of femoral head penetration into the cup and for comparison with CT, and gravimetric measurements were used as a reference for both CT and CMM. Femoral head penetration and wear vector angle were studied. The head diameters were also measured with both CMM and CT. The repeatability of the method proposed was evaluated with two repeated measurements using different positions of the phantom in the CT scanner. Results The accuracy of the 3D CT method for evaluation of linear wear was 0.51 mm and the repeatability was 0.39 mm. Repeatability for wear vector angle was 17 degrees A degrees. Interpretation This study of metal-meshed hip-simulated acetabular cups shows that CT has the capacity for reliable measurement of linear wear of acetabular cups at a clinically relevant level of accuracy., QC 20110321

This study focused on the localization and expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and different isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta(1), TGF-beta(2) and TGF-beta(3)) in the initial and early stages of heterotopic ossification (HO) employing an animal model mimicking the situation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Bone growth was induced in rats using beta-tricalcium phosphate implants immersed either in osteoinductive rhBMP-2 solution or in saline and implanted at the site where the HO is usually expected to develop after THA. Implants were removed at 3 or 21 days after the operation and handled according to stereology principles. mRNA expression and protein staining of growth factors in different types of tissues was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. After three days, TGF-beta(3) content in the undifferentiated mesenchymal-like cells in the rhBMP-2 treated implants was, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, 49.6% higher compared to the saline treated group (p=0.024). This was also supported by in situ hybridization of mRNA of TGF-beta(3), which showed stronger expression in rhBMP-2 treated group. Immunohistochemical investigation showed that after 21 days the connective tissue in the rhBMP-2 treated implants contained more TGF-beta(1),TGF-beta(2) and TGF-beta(3), compared to BMP-2 and osteoblasts contained significantly (27.2%) more TGF-beta(3) compared to TGF-beta(1) (p=0.045). In the formed HO the proportion of the TGF-beta(2) and TGF-beta(3), producing bone tissue was increased by 32.1% and 47.8% respectively, compared to the TGF-beta(1) producing bone tissue (p=0.007 and p=0.006) and although this difference was not so clear at mRNA level, this suggests that TGF-beta(2) and TGF-beta(3) signaling seem to play an important role during initial and early stages of HO formation.

Objective: In this study we explore the possibility of accurately and cost-effectively monitoring tibial deformation induced by Taylor Spatial Frames (TSFs), using time-separated computed tomography (CT) scans and a volume fusion technique to determine tibial rotation and translation. Materials and Methods: Serial CT examinations (designated CT-A and CT-B, separated by a time interval of several months) of two patients were investigated using a previously described and validated volume fusion technique, in which user-defined landmarks drive the 3D registration of the two CT volumes. Both patients had undergone dual osteotomies to correct for tibial length and rotational deformity. For each registration, 10 or more landmarks were selected, and the quality of the fused volume was assessed both quantitatively and via 2D and 3D visualization tools. First, the proximal frame segment and tibia in CT-A and CT-B were brought into alignment (registered) by selecting landmarks on the frame and/or tibia. In the resulting "fused'' volume, the proximal frame segment and tibia from CT-A and CT-B were aligned, while the distal frame segment and tibia from CT-A and CT-B were likely not aligned as a result of tibial deformation or frame adjustment having occurred between the CT scans. Using the proximal fused volume, the distal frame segment and tibia were then registered by selecting landmarks on the frame and/or tibia. The difference between the centroids of the final distal landmarks was used to evaluate the lengthening of the tibia, and the Euler angles from the registration were used to evaluate the rotation. Results: Both the frame and bone could be effectively registered (based on visual interpretation). Movement between the proximal frame and proximal bone could be visualized in both cases. The spatial effect on the tibia could be both visually assessed and measured: 34 mm, 10 degrees in one case; 5 mm, 1 degrees in the other. Conclusion: This retrospective analysis of spati, QC 20100525

Objective: To validate a new non-invasive CT method for measuring segmental translations in lumbar spine in a phantom using plastic vertebrae with tantalum markers and human vertebrae. Material and Methods: One hundred and four CT volumes were acquired of a phantom incorporating three lumbar vertebrae. Lumbar segmental translation was simulated by altering the position of one vertebra in all three cardinal axes between acquisitions. The CT volumes were combined into 64 case pairs, simulating lumbar segmental movement of up to 3 mm between acquisitions. The relative movement between the vertebrae was evaluated visually and numerically using a volume fusion image post-processing tool. Results were correlated to direct measurements of the phantom. Results: On visual inspection, translation of at least 1 mm or more could be safely detected and correlated with separation between the vertebrae in three dimensions. There were no significant differences between plastic and human vertebrae. Numerically, the accuracy limit for all the CT measurements of the 3D segmental translations was 0.56 mm (median: 0.12; range: -0.76 to +0.49 mm). The accuracy for the sagittal axis was 0.45 mm (median: 0.10; range: -0.46 to +0.62 mm); the accuracy for the coronal axis was 0.46 min (median: 0.09; range: -0.66 to +0.69 mm); and the accuracy for the axial axis was 0.45 mm (median: 0.05; range: -0.72 to +0.62 mm). The repeatability, calculated over 10 cases, was 0.35 mm (median: 0.16; range: -0.26 to +0.30 mm). Conclusion: The accuracy of this non-invasive method is better than that of current routine methods for detecting segmental movements. The method allows both visual and numerical evaluation of such movements. Further studies are needed to validate this method in patients., QC 20100525

Background and purpose: Considerable migration of the acetabular cup is required for diagnosis of loosening by conventional radiography. We have developed a new clinically applicable method for assessment of cup loosening using computed tomography (CT). Patients and methods 10 patients scheduled for revision hip replacement due to suspected wear or loosening were scanned twice with CT under torsion loading of the prosthesis. Two independent examiners assessed each patient with respect to motion of the acetabular cup relative to the pelvis using CT volume registration. The CT measurements were compared to findings at revision surgery. Results The method was applicable in 8 of the 10 patients. 1 patient had a severe tremor. In 1 patient, surgery revealed that the hip was ankylotic due to massive ectopic bone formation. This left 8 patients that could be evaluated. 4 cups were loose at surgery, and 3 of these cups could be seen to be mobile by CT. 4 cups that were stable on revision were accurately diagnosed as not being mobile by CT. Movements of less than 1 millimeter between bone and prosthesis could not be distinguished from errors in CT acquisition and volume registration. There was good agreement between the two observers. Interpretation Movement of loose acetabular cups during torsion loading could be detected using CT volume registration. It was sensitive to cup movement in 3 out of 4 cases of loose cups. The method was specific and yielded no false positive results., QC 20100525

Metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty has the longest clinical history of all total arthroplasties. We asked whether large diameter femoral heads would result in less wear than those with small diameters. We also asked if there is a threshold diameter that ensures good wear behavior. We tested three batches of cast high-carbon cobalt-chromium-molybdenum hip implants (28 mm, 36 min, and 54 min diameters) in a hip simulator for 5 million cycles. We used bovine serum as lubricant and weighed the samples at regular intervals during testing. The 28-mm configuration had almost twice the wear of the 54-mm configuration, but we observed no difference between the 36-mm and the 54-mm configurations. The similarity in the wear performances of the larger configurations supports the presence of a threshold diameter that ensures good wear behavior., QC 20110706

Improvement of joint prostheses is dependent upon information concerning the biomechanical properties of the joint. Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) and electromagnetic techniques have been applied in previous cadaver and in vivo studies on the elbow joint to provide valuable information concerning joint motion axes. However, such information is limited to mathematically calculated positions of the axes according to an orthogonal coordinate system and is difficult to relate to individual skeletal anatomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo application of a new fusion method to provide three-dimensional (31)) visualization of flexion axes according to bony landmarks. In vivo RSA data of the elbow joint's flexion axes was combined with data obtained by 3D computed tomography (CT). Results were obtained from five healthy subjects after one was excluded due to an instable RSA marker. The median error between imported and transformed RSA marker coordinates and those obtained in the CT volume was 0.22mm. Median maximal rotation error after transformation of the rigid RSA body to the CT volume was 0.003 degrees. Points of interception with a plane calculated in the RSA orthogonal coordinate system were imported into the CT volume, facilitating the 3D visualization of the flexion axes. This study demonstrates a successful fusion of RSA and CT data, without significant loss of RSA accuracy. The method could be used for relating individual motion axes to a 3D representation of relevant joint anatomy, thus providing important information for clinical applications such as the development of joint prostheses., QC 20150630

Purpose: To validate an image post-processing method for re-orienting the pelvis in CT volumes to a standardized orientation in a model and in 10 patients. Material and Methods: Twenty-four CT volumes of a pelvic model and 10 pairs of postoperative total hip arthroplasty (THA) patient CT scans were rotated to a defined pelvic standard orientation and the rotation was recorded. For precision, a test-retest procedure was used. For accuracy, three exactly represented coordinate points were used. For clinical application, the standard orientation was used for calculating the direction of acetabular cup migration from a previous model study. Results: Precision of pelvic standard orientation, calculated as maximal directional error, was better than 1degrees in the model study and better than 1.5degrees in the patient study. Accuracy, expressed as angle between ideal and measured coordinate axes, was 0.1degrees for x, y, z axes. No measurable systematic errors were found. When applied to acetabular cup migration in the model, standardization of pelvic orientation had no significant effect on the measurements. Conclusion: Reorienting the pelvis during image post-processing was shown to be accurate. It enables measurements relative to the pelvis and minimizes the dependency of patient positioning., QC 20100525