Browsing by Author "Anderson, Dennis E."

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    An examination of age-related differences in lower extremity joint torques and strains in the proximal femur during gait
    Anderson, Dennis E. (Virginia Tech, 2010-03-26)
    Hip fractures are serious injuries that are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality in older adults. While much of the increased risk of hip fracture with age can be explained by age-related decreases in bone mineral density, muscles and motor control are altered by aging as well. Muscles forces in vivo are thought to have a prophylactic effect that can reduce shear and bending in the femur. This is beneficial because bone is stronger in compression than in shear or tension, and shear plays an important role in fatiguing bone. Understanding how aging and muscular loads affect strains in the proximal femur could lead to improvements in clinical screening and preventative measures for hip fracture. Three studies were performed to investigate age-related changes in neuromuscular function during gait and how these changes affect strains in the proximal femur. Study 1 examined age differences in peak lower extremity joint torques during walking with controlled speed and step length. Studies 2 and 3 applied muscle forces estimated during gait to finite element models of the femur. Study 2 examined age differences in femoral strains, and Study 3 examined the sensitivity of strains to individual muscle forces. The results support the idea that older adults walk with reduced contributions from the ankle plantar flexors and increased contributions from the hip extensors. Interactions between age and speed indicate that older adults utilized a different neuromuscular strategy than young adults to vary the speed of their gait. No age differences were found for the largest magnitude strains in the proximal femur. However, young adults were able to apply larger loads to the femur without corresponding increases in femoral strains. Strains in the femoral neck were found to be sensitive to muscle forces, particularly hip abductor forces. Strains in the sub-trochanteric region tended to be larger than those in the femoral neck, and less sensitive to muscle forces. These results increase our understanding of neuromuscular changes that occur with age, and the effects of these changes on the femur.
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    An Investigation of the Mechanical Implications of Sacroplasty Using Finite Element Models Based on Tomographic Image Data
    Anderson, Dennis E. (Virginia Tech, 2005-04-25)
    Sacral insufficiency fractures are an under-diagnosed source of acute lower back pain. A polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement injection procedure called sacroplasty has recently been utilized as a treatment for sacral insufficiency fractures. It is believed that injection of cement reduces fracture micromotion, thus relieving pain. In this study, finite element models were used to examine the mechanical effects of sacroplasty. Finite element models were constructed from CT images of cadavers on which sacroplasties were performed. The images were used to create the mesh geometry, and to apply non-homogeneous material properties to the models. Models were created with homogeneous and non-homogeneous material properties, normal and osteoporotic bone, and with and without cement. The results indicate that the sacrum has a 3D multi-axial state of strain. While compressive strains were the largest, tensile and shear strains were significant as well. It was found that a homogeneous model can account for around 80% of the variation in strain seen in a non-homogeneous model. Thus, while homogeneous models provide a reasonable estimate of strains, non-homogeneous material properties have a significant effect in modeling bone. A reduction in bone density simulating osteoporosis increased strains nearly linearly, even with non-homogeneous material properties. Thus, the non-homogeneity was modeled similarly in both density cases. Cement in the sacrum reduced strains 40-60% locally around the cement. However, overall model stiffness only increased 1-4%. This indicates that the effects of sacroplasty are primarily local.
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    Spinal Compressive Forces in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With and Without Carrying Loads: A Musculoskeletal Modeling Study
    Schmid, Stefan; Burkhart, Katelyn A.; Allaire, Brett T.; Grindle, Daniel M.; Bassani, Tito; Galbusera, Fabio; Anderson, Dennis E. (2020-03-03)
    The pathomechanisms of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remain poorly understood and biomechanical data are limited. A deeper insight into spinal loading could provide valuable information toward the improvement of current treatment strategies. This work therefore aimed at using subject-specific musculoskeletal full-body models of patients with AIS to predict segmental compressive forces around the curve apex and to investigate how these forces are affected by simulated load carrying. Models were created based on spatially calibrated biplanar radiographic images from 24 patients with mild to moderate AIS and validated by comparing predictions of paravertebral muscle activity with reported values from in vivo studies. Spinal compressive forces were predicted during unloaded upright standing as well as standing with external loads of 10, 15, and 20% of body weight (BW) applied to the scapulae to simulate carrying a backpack in the regular way on the back as well as in front of the body and over the shoulder on the concave and convex sides of the scoliotic curve. The predicted muscle activities around the curve apex were higher on the convex side for the erector spinae (ES) and multifidi (MF) muscles, which was comparable to the EMG-based in vivo measurements from the literature. In terms of spinal loading, the implementation of spinal deformity resulted in a 10% increase of compressive force at the curve apex during unloaded upright standing. Apical compressive forces further increased by 50-62% for a simulated 10% BW load and by 77-94% and 103-128% for 15% and 20% BW loads, respectively. Moreover, load-dependent compressive force increases were the lowest in the regular backpack and the highest in the frontpack and convex conditions, with concave side-carrying forces in between. The predictions indicated increased segmental compressive forces during unloaded upright standing, which could be ascribed to the scoliotic deformation. When carrying loads, compressive forces further increased depending on the carrying mode and the weight of the load. These results can be used as a basis for further studies investigating segmental loading in AIS patients during functional activities. Models can thereby be created using the same approach as proposed in this study.
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    Validity of flexicurve and motion capture for measurements of thoracic kyphosis vs standing radiographic measurements
    Grindle, Daniel M.; Mousavi, Seyed Javad; Allaire, Brett T.; White, Andrew P.; Anderson, Dennis E. (2020-08)
    Thoracic kyphosis varies among healthy adults and typically increases with age. Excessive kyphosis (hyperkyphosis) is associated with negative health. Spinal alignment also affects spine loading, with implications for conditions such as vertebral fractures and back pain. Valid measurements of kyphosis are necessary for clinical and research assessment of age-related posture changes, and to support improved biomechanical understating of spine conditions. Independent validation of non-radiographic techniques, however, remains limited. The goal of this study was to compare standing radiographic kyphosis measurements with non-radiographic measurements and predictions of thoracic kyphosis using flexicurve and motion analysis markers, in order to determine their validity. Thirteen non-radiographic measures of thoracic kyphosis were obtained in each of 40 adult subjects who also underwent standing radiographs of the thoracic spine. Measures included estimates derived by fitting of polynomials or circles to the non-radiographic data, as well as predictions calculated using previously published methods. Intra-class correlations (ICC) and root-mean square errors (RMSEs) were calculated between radiographic and non-radiographic measures to determine validity. Most non-radiographic estimates of kyphosis show similar, weak to moderate levels of validity when compared to radiographic measurements, and RMSEs ranging from 8.0 degrees to 20.8 degrees. Unbiased estimates of radiographic measurements with moderate to good ICCs were identified, however, based on marker measurements, and new prediction equations were created with similar validity that also account for age and body habitus. Clinical significance: These non-radiographic measurements of thoracic kyphosis can be applied to clinical practice or to clinical studies with recognition of specific limitations.