title: Description of an evaluation system for knee kinematics in ligament lesions, by means of optical tracking and 3D tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and demonstrate the viability of a method for evaluating knee kinematics, by means of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, before and after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted on a knee from a cadaver, in a mechanical pivot-shift simulator, with evaluations using optical tracking, and also using computed tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated the viability of a protocol for measuring the rotation and translation of the knee, using reproducible and objective tools (error < 0.2 mm). The mechanized provocation system of the pivot-shift test was independent of the examiner and always allowed the same angular velocity and traction of 20 N throughout the movement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical relevance of this method lies in making inferences about the in vivo behavior of a knee with an ACL injury and providing greater methodological quality in future studies for measuring surgical techniques with grafts in relatively close positions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tiago Lazzaretti
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Douglas Badillo
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diogo Cristo
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: da Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Center of Fundação Educacional Inaciana (FEI), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cyro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: César Augusto Martins
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedrinelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnaldo José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hernandez
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Knee joint; X-ray computed tomography