The mechanics of the modern human foot and its specialization for habitual bipedalism are well understood. The windlass mechanism gives it the required stability for propulsion generation, and ...flattening of the arch and stretching of the plantar aponeurosis leads to energy saving. What is less well understood is how an essentially flat and mobile foot, as found in protohominins and extant apes, functions during bipedalism. This study evaluates the hypothesis that an energy-saving mechanism, by stretch and recoil of plantar connective tissues, is present in the mobile gibbon foot and provides a two-dimensional analysis of the internal joint mechanics of the foot during spontaneous bipedalism of gibbons using a four-link segment foot model. Available force and pressure data are combined with detailed foot kinematics, recorded with a high-speed camera at 250 Hz, to calculate the external joint moments at the metatarsophalangeal (MP), tarsometatarsal (TM) and talocrural (TC) joints. In addition, instantaneous joint powers are estimated to obtain insight into the propulsion-generating capacities of the internal foot joints. It is found that, next to a wide range of motion at the TC joint, substantial motion is observed at the TM and MP joint, underlining the importance of using a multi-segment foot model in primate gait analyses. More importantly, however, this study shows that although a compliant foot is less mechanically effective for push-off than a ;rigid' arched foot, it can contribute to the generation of propulsion in bipedal locomotion via stretch and recoil of the plantarflexor tendons and plantar ligaments.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in 3D kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint between gibbons (fam. Hylobatidae) and macaques (Macaca mulatta), two ...non‐human primate groups with a distinct locomotor behavior. Gibbons are highly arboreal species, while macaques are quadrupeds. Here, we investigate the mobility and structural constraints of the TMC joint in both these primates and evaluate the hypothesis that differences in locomotor mode are reflected in joint structure and function.
Materials and methods
We have developed an innovative software suite allowing for the quantification of in situ 3D kinematics based on medical imaging of the primate TMC joint using a unique sample of eight gibbons and seven macaques. These analyses are further supported by detailed dissection of the surrounding ligaments.
Results
The data demonstrate distinct differences in TMC joint mobility between gibbons and macaques, with wide ranges of motion in the gibbon TMC joint and restricted movement in macaques. Furthermore, the dissections show little dissimilarity in ligament anatomy that could be associated with the differences in TMC joint capabilities.
Conclusion
We conclude that gibbons possess a highly mobile TMC joint and the ball‐and‐socket morphology allows for large ranges of motion. This type of morphology, however, does not offer much inherent stabilization. Lack of structural joint reinforcement suggests that gibbons may have difficulty in performing any type of power grasp with high loads. Macaques, on the other hand, are shown to have a considerably reinforced TMC joint, which is likely related to the habitual loading of the thumb during locomotion.
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•This study clarifies some points of confusion in terminology and location of the intrinsic subtalar ligaments.•The cervical ligament has similar dimensions as the ATFL and CFL. This suggests an ...important function in the stability of the subtalar joint.•The anterior capsular ligament is a small ligament with a consistent presence and location.•The interosseous talocalcaneal ligament is a small ligament deeply located in the tarsal canal. Confusion with the ACaL should be avoided.
Chronic subtalar instability is a disabling complication after acute ankle sprains. Currently, the literature describing the anatomy of the intrinsic subtalar ligaments is limited and equivocal which causes difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of subtalar instability. The purpose of this study is to assess the anatomical characteristics of the subtalar ligaments and to clarify some points of confusion.
In 16 cadaveric feet, the dimensions and locations of the subtalar ankle ligaments were assessed and measured. CT-scans before dissection and after indication of the footprints with radio-opaque paint allowed to generate 3D models and assess the footprint characteristics.
The cervical ligament (CL) had similar dimensions as the lateral ligaments: anterior length 13.9 ± 1.5 mm, posterior length 18.5 ± 2.9 mm, talar width 13.6 ± 2.2 mm, calcaneal width 15.8 ± 3.7 mm. The anterior capsular ligament (ACaL) and interosseous talocalcaneal ligament (ITCL) were found to be smaller structures with consistent dimensions and locations.
This study identified consistent characteristics of the intrinsic subtalar ligaments and clarifies the local anatomical situation. The dimensions and footprints of the intrinsic ligaments of the subtalar joint suggest a more important role of the CL and ACaL in the stability of the subtalar joint. The results of this study are relevant to improve diagnostic tools and offer some guidelines when reconstructing the injured ligaments.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Editorial: The human foot: function in progress Bates, Karl T; Venkadesan, Madhusudhan; Vereecke, Evie E ...
Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology,
07/2023, Volume:
11
Journal Article
The use of inertial measurement units for the evaluation of temporal parameters of gait has been studied in many populations. However, currently no studies support the use of inertial measurement ...units for this purpose in the knee arthroplasty population. The objective of the present study was to investigate the agreement between an inertial measurement and camera based system for the assessment of temporal gait parameters in a knee arthroplasty population.
Sixteen knee arthroplasty patients performed 3 gait trials at a self-selected speed along a 6 m walk-way. During the gait trials, gyroscope data from shank-worn inertial measurement units and motion data from optoelectronic cameras were collected simultaneously. A custom-made peak detection algorithm was used to identify gait events from gyroscope data, in order to compute cycle time, stance time and swing time. A marker and coordinate based algorithm was used to calculate temporal gait parameters from kinematical data derived from the camera system. Temporal variables were compared between both methods by calculating intra-class correlation coefficients, mean errors and root mean squared errors. Furthermore, Bland-Altman plots were constructed to assess the agreement between both methods.
Overall good to excellent intra-class correlation values (0.826–0.972) were found. Root mean square errors between both methods ranged from 0.036 to 0.055 s. High levels of agreement were observed for all variables.
These findings suggest that inertial measurement units can be used for outside laboratory assessment (e.g. in a hospital environment) of temporal gait parameters in the knee arthroplasty population.
•There is a need for extra-laboratory gait analysis of patients with knee arthroplasty.•Temporal gait parameters from wearable sensors and a camera system were compared.•High correlations were demonstrated between both measurement systems.•Wearable sensors can be used for the assessment of temporal gait parameters.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The human hand is well known for its unique dexterity which is largely facilitated by a highly mobile, long and powerful thumb that enables both tool manufacturing and use, a key component of human ...evolution. The bonobo (Pan paniscus), the closest extant relative to modern humans together with the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), also possesses good manipulative capabilities but with a lower level of dexterity compared with modern humans. Despite the close phylogenetic relationship between bonobos and humans, detailed quantitative data of the bonobo forelimb musculature remains largely lacking. To understand how morphology may influence dexterity, we investigated the functional anatomy of the bonobo hand using a unique sample of eight bonobo cadavers, along with one chimpanzee and one human (Homo sapiens) cadaver. We performed detailed dissections of unembalmed specimens to collect quantitative datasets of the extrinsic and intrinsic hand musculature, in addition to qualitative descriptions of the forelimb muscle configurations, allowing estimation of force‐generating capacities for each functional group. Furthermore, we used medical imaging to quantify the articular surface of the trapeziometacarpal joint to estimate the intra‐articular pressure. Our results show that the force‐generating capacity for most functional groups of the extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles in bonobos is largely similar to that of humans, with differences in relative importance of the extensors and rotators. The bonobo thumb musculature has a lower force‐generating capacity than observed in the human specimen, but the estimated maximal intra‐articular pressure is higher in bonobos. Most importantly, bonobos show a higher degree of functional coupling between the muscles of the thumb, index and lateral fingers than observed in humans. It is conceivable that differentiation and individualization of the hand muscles rather than relative muscle development explain the higher level of dexterity of humans compared with that of bonobos.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Objectives
In this study, we investigated the shape differences of the distal ulna in a phylogenetic context among a broad range of primate taxa. Furthermore, we evaluated covariation between ulnar ...and triquetrum shape and a possible association between ulnar shape and locomotor behavior.
Materials and Methods
We applied 3D geometric morphometrics on a large dataset comprising the distal ulna of 124 anthropoid primate specimens belonging to 12 different genera. For each species, a mean shape was calculated using 11 Procrustes‐aligned surface landmarks on the distal ulna. These mean shapes are used in a bgPCA, pPCA, and PACA and 3D morphs were used to visualize more subtle differences between taxa. A p2B‐PLS analysis was performed to test the covariance between distal ulnar and triquetrum shape.
Results
The results show that more closely related species exhibit a similar distal ulnar shape. Overall, extant hominid ulnae show a shape shift compared to those of extant monkeys and hylobatids. This includes a shortening of the ulnar styloid process and dorspalmarly widening of the ulnar head, shape characteristics that are independent of phylogeny. Within the hominids, Pongo pygmaeus seem to possess the most plesiomorphic distal ulnar shape, while Gorilla and Homo sapiens display the most derived distal ulna. Cercopithecoids, hylobatids, and P. pygmaeus are characterized by a relatively deep ECU groove, which is a shape trait dependent of phylogeny. Although there was no significant covariation between distal ulnar shape and triquetrum shape, the shape differences of the distal ulna between the different primate taxa reveal a possible link with locomotor behavior.
Conclusions
The comparative analyses of this study reveal different shape trends in a phylogenetic context. Highly arboreal primates, such as hylobatids and Ateles fusciceps, show a distal ulnar morphology that appears to be adapted to tensile and torsional forces. In primates that use their wrist under more compressive conditions, such as quadrupedal cercopithecoids and great apes, the distal ulnar morphology seems to reflect increased compressive forces. In modern humans, the distal ulnar shape can be associated to enhanced manipulative skills and power grips. There was no significant covariation between distal ulnar shape and triquetrum shape, probably due to the variation in the amount of contact between the triquetrum and ulna. In combination with future research on wrist mobility in diverse primate taxa, the results of this study will allow us to establish form‐function relationships of the primate wrist and contribute towards an evidence‐based interpretation of fossil remains.
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The primate thumb plays a central role in grasping and the basal trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint is critical to its function. The TMC joint morphology varies across primates, yet little is known about ...form-function interaction within in the TMC joint. The purpose of this study was to investigate how stress distributions within the joint differ between five grasping types commonly employed by bonobos (Pan paniscus). Five cadaveric bonobo forearms were CT scanned in five standardized positions of the hand as a basis for the generation of parametric finite element models to compare grasps. We have developed a finite element analysis (FEA) approach to investigate stress distribution patterns in the TMC joint associated with each grasp type. We hypothesized that the simulated stress distributions for each position would correspond with the patterns expected from a saddle-shaped joint. However, we also expected differences in stress patterns arising from instraspecific variations in morphology. The models showed a high agreement between simulated and expected stress patterns for each of the five grasps (86% of successful simulations), while partially (52%) and fully (14%) diverging patterns were also encountered. We identified individual variations of key morphological features in the bonobo TMC joint that account for the diverging stress patterns and emphasized the effect of interindividual morphological variation on joint functioning. This study gives unprecedented insight in the form-function interactions in the TMC joint of the bonobo and provides an innovative FEA approach to modelling intra-articular stress distributions, a valuable tool for the study of the primate thumb biomechanics.
The aim of the present study is to compare sagittal gait kinematics of ankle, knee and hip joints between subjects with unicondylar and total knee arthroplasty and age matched healthy controls. Since ...unicondylar knee replacement is a less invasive procedure, which more closely preserves knee joint anatomy, we hypothesized that one year post unicondylar knee arthroplasty patients would demonstrate more normal gait patterns than patients with total knee arthroplasty.
Do unicondylar and total knee arthroplasty patients display similar gait kinematics one year after surgery?
Fourteen subjects (8 posterior stabilized and 6 medial unicondylar knee replacements) that were one year post surgery, and 6 healthy control subjects underwent a 3D gait analysis and a physical examination (range of motion, muscle strength). Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare gait kinematics of the lower limbs between groups. Additionally, differences in peak angles and clinical outcomes were assessed using a one-way ANOVA between subjects analysis.
Both knee replacement groups showed reduced knee flexion range of motion and reduced muscle strength at the operated leg compared to the control group. Subjects with TKA demonstrated reduced knee flexion at loading response and midstance of the gait cycle. Both UKA and TKA demonstrated significantly less knee flexion during swing.
The results of this study demonstrate arthroplasty-specific differences in muscle strength, range of motion and gait kinematics of the lower limb one year after knee surgery. Future planning of post-surgery follow-up should addresses these arthroplasty-specific weaknesses and gait deviations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The trapeziometacarpal joint is a common site for osteoarthritis development in the hand. When osteoarthritis is present, it results in significant functional disabilities due to the broad range of ...activities performed by this joint. However, our understanding of osteoarthritis initiation and progression at this joint is limited because of the current lack of knowledge regarding the properties and structure of the corresponding cartilage layers. The objective of this study is to assess the morphological and mechanical properties of trapeziometacarpal cartilage via the combination of indentation testing and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Such research may lead to the development of medical imaging-based approaches to measure cartilage properties in vivo.
Intact first metacarpals and trapezia were extracted from 16 fresh-frozen human cadaver hands. For each specimen, load-displacement behavior was measured at 9 testing sites using a standardized indentation testing device to calculate the normal force and Young's modulus of the cartilage sub-regions. The specimens were then immersed in CA4+ contrast agent solution for 48 h and subsequently scanned with a resolution of 41 μm in a HR-pQCT scanner to measure cartilage thickness and attenuation. Finally, correlations between compressive Young's modulus and contrast-enhanced computed tomography attenuation of the cartilage were assessed.
No significant difference was found in cartilage thickness between the trapezium and first metacarpal, but the comparison between articular regions showed thinner cartilage around the volar aspect of both the first metacarpal and the trapezium. The first metacarpal cartilage was stiffer than the trapezial cartilage. A significant positive correlation was observed between Young's modulus and mean contrast-enhanced CT attenuations in superficial and full-depth cartilage in both the first metacarpal and the trapezium cartilage.
The quantitative measurements of trapeziometacarpal thickness and stiffness as well as a correlation between Young's modulus and contrast-enhanced computed tomography attenuation provides a method for the non-destructive in vivo assessment of cartilage properties, a greater understanding of thumb cartilage behavior, and a dataset for the development of more accurate computer models.
•First detailed study focusing on the mechanical properties of thumb cartilage•Assessing cartilage properties using indentation testing and computed tomography•New method for the non-destructive in vivo assessment of cartilage properties•New dataset for the development of more accurate computer models
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
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