An apparatus for measuring the load-displacement and load-dependent kinematic characteristics of articulating joints-application to the human ankle joint.
An apparatus is described which is capable of measuring the load-displacement characteristics as well as determining the loci of centers of rotation of articulating joints. The apparatus employs a floating head which permits the axis of rotation to coincide with the position of minimum joint resistance, thus eliminating non-physiological rotations at the joint. The coupled loads are also measured, thus providing an accurate description of the joint structural characteristics. Data taken from a freshly amputated human ankle joint is presented.
Rastegar
J
J
Department of General Engineering and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill. 61801, USA.
Miller
N
N
Barmada
R
R
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*