There is a need to align the mechanical axis of the tibia with the axis of loading for studies involving tibiofemoral compression to interpret results and to ensure repeatability of loading within and among specimens. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based alignment method for use with apparatuses applying tibiofemoral joint compression, (2) to demonstrate the usefulness of the method by aligning cadaveric knees in an apparatus that could apply tibiofemoral joint compression, and (3) to quantify the error associated with the alignment method. A four degree-of-freedom adjustable device was constructed to allow determination and alignment of the mechanical axis of the tibia of cadaveric knee joints with the axis of loading of an apparatus applying tibiofemoral joint compression. MRI was used to determine the locations of bony landmarks in three dimensions defining the mechanical axis of the tibia relative to an initial orientation of the four degree-of-freedom device. Adjustment values of the device were then computed and applied to the device to align the mechanical axis of the tibia with the axis of a compressive loading apparatus. To demonstrate the usefulness of the method, four cadaveric knees were aligned in the compressive loading apparatus. The vectors describing the mechanical axis of the tibia and the loading axis of the apparatus before and after adjustment of the four degree-of-freedom device were computed for each cadaveric knee. After adjustment of the four degree-of-freedom device, the mechanical axis of the tibia was collinear with the loading axis of the apparatus for each cadaveric knee. The errors in the adjustment values introduced by inaccuracies in the MR images were quantified using the Monte Carlo technique. The precisions in the translational and rotational adjustments were and respectively. The MR-based alignment method will allow consistent interpretation of results obtained during tibiofemoral compressive studies conducted using the apparatus described in this paper by providing a well-defined loading axis. The alignment method can also be adapted for use with other apparatuses applying tibiofemoral compression.
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e-mail: mlhull@ucdavis.edu
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December 2007
Research Papers
An MRI-Based Method to Align the Compressive Loading Axis for Human Cadaveric Knees
K. J. Martin,
K. J. Martin
Biomedical Engineering Program,
University of California
, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
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C. P. Neu,
C. P. Neu
Department of Orthopedics,
University of California at Davis Medical Center
, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817
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M. L. Hull
M. L. Hull
Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering Program,
e-mail: mlhull@ucdavis.edu
University of California
, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
Search for other works by this author on:
K. J. Martin
Biomedical Engineering Program,
University of California
, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
C. P. Neu
Department of Orthopedics,
University of California at Davis Medical Center
, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817
M. L. Hull
Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering Program,
University of California
, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616e-mail: mlhull@ucdavis.edu
J Biomech Eng. Dec 2007, 129(6): 855-862 (8 pages)
Published Online: April 30, 2007
Article history
Received:
June 1, 2006
Revised:
April 30, 2007
Citation
Martin, K. J., Neu, C. P., and Hull, M. L. (April 30, 2007). "An MRI-Based Method to Align the Compressive Loading Axis for Human Cadaveric Knees." ASME. J Biomech Eng. December 2007; 129(6): 855–862. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2800765
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