Clinical biomechanics
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Clinical biomechanics · Jul 2013
Controlled Clinical TrialMovement coordination and differential kinematics of the cervical and thoracic spines in people with chronic neck pain.
Research on the kinematics and inter-regional coordination of movements between the cervical and thoracic spines in motion adds to our understanding of the performance and interplay of these spinal regions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chronic neck pain on the three-dimensional kinematics and coordination of the cervical and thoracic spines during active movements of the neck. ⋯ Assessment of the range of motion of the neck is not sufficient to reveal movement dysfunctions in chronic neck pain subjects. Evaluation of angular velocity and acceleration and movement coordination should be included to help develop clinical intervention strategies to promote restoration of differential kinematics and movement coordination.
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Clinical biomechanics · Jun 2013
Long-term repetitive mechanical loading of the knee joint by in vivo muscle stimulation accelerates cartilage degeneration and increases chondrocyte death in a rabbit model.
Excessive chronic loading is thought to be one factor responsible for the onset of osteoarthritis. For example, studies using treadmill running have shown an increased risk for osteoarthritis, thereby suggesting that muscle-induced joint loading may play a role in osteoarthritis onset and progression. However, in these studies, muscle-induced loading was not carefully quantified. Here, we present a model of controlled muscular loading which allows for the accurate quantification of joint loading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term, cyclic, isometric and dynamic, muscle-induced joint loading of physiologic magnitude but excessive intensity on cartilage integrity and cell viability in the rabbit knee. ⋯ Chondrocyte death and Mankin Scores were significantly increased in the loaded joints, thereby linking muscular exercise of physiologic magnitude but excessive intensity to cartilage degeneration and cell death in the rabbit knee.
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Clinical biomechanics · Apr 2013
Controlled Clinical TrialBilateral coordination and gait symmetry after body-weight supported treadmill training for persons with chronic stroke.
Locomotor interventions are commonly assessed using functional outcomes, but these outcomes provide limited information about changes toward recovery or compensatory mechanisms. The study purposes were to examine changes in gait symmetry and bilateral coordination following body-weight supported treadmill training in individuals with chronic hemiparesis due to stroke and to compare findings to participants without disability. ⋯ After body-weight supported treadmill training, the stroke group made improvements toward recovery of normal bilateral coordination. Bilateral coordination and gait symmetry measures may assess different aspects of gait.
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Clinical biomechanics · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyBiomechanical comparison of an angular stable plate with augmented and non-augmented screws in a newly developed shoulder test bench.
The proximal humeral fracture is one of the most common fractures. Although there are a number of treatment options available, the clinical outcomes in geriatric patients are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical behaviour of an angular stable plate with either augmented or non-augmented screws using two different fracture models in a shoulder test bench with active muscle forces. ⋯ In an unstable fracture model under dynamic testing conditions, augmentation leads to a decreased per cycle motion and varus impaction of the humeral head.
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Clinical biomechanics · Mar 2013
Controlled Clinical TrialFactors contributing to lumbar region passive tissue characteristics in people with and people without low back pain.
Previously, we demonstrated that people in the Rotation with Extension low back pain subgroup display greater asymmetry of passive tissue characteristics during trunk lateral bending than people without low back pain. The purpose of this secondary analysis is to examine factors that explain the group differences. ⋯ Anthropometrics explained passive measures with trunk lateral bending to both sides, in both groups. For people in the Rotation with Extension subgroup, there was a direct relationship between trunk muscle performance and passive measures to the right. Muscle is an important contributing factor to asymmetry in this subgroup and should be considered in treatment.