title: Insertion of a pressure sensing arrayminimally affects hindfoot bone kinematics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding the development of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is of high importance and interest; however its causality is poorly understood and several links to joint loading conditions have been made. One way of quantifying joint loading conditions is by measuring the intra-articular pressure distribution during gait simulations performed by in-vitro experimental set-ups. However the effect of inserting a pressure sensing array in the ankle joint could potentially disturb the proper kinematics and therefore the loading conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we performed in-vitro gait simulations in 7 cadaveric feet, before and after inserting a pressure sensing array and quantified the effect on the joints range of motion (ROM). The gait was simulated with a stance phase duration of one second using a custom build cadaveric gait simulator (CGS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show a limited effect in the ROM for all the joints of the hind foot, not exceeding the variability observed in specimens without a sensor. However, no consistent direction (increase/decrease) can be observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that even though the effect of inserting a pressure sensing array is minimal, it needs to be evaluated against the demands/requirements of the application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300c, Box 2419, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium.
authors.forename: Tassos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Natsakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300c, Box 2419, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium ; Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1500, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium.
authors.forename: Josefien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300c, Box 2419, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium.
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dereymaeker
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1500, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jonkers
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300c, Box 2419, Heverlee, 3001 Belgium.
authors.forename: Jos Vander
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sloten
keywords: Ankle; In-vitro gait simulations; Pressure distribution; ROM