Besides the bony motion, the muscle kinematics and kinetics of the knee extensors, which control patellar motion, has been studied. Other studies of interest include characterizing muscle motion before and after muscle-tendon transfers in the forearm, and characterizing muscle adaptation after disuse resulting from immobilization or denervation. All these studies have the common theme of musculoskeletal changes in response to an injury. A better understanding of such changes may facilitate rehabilitation. Typical set-up for patellar study.
Subject raises a load in extension.
The samples consisted of CuSO4 gelatin solution or trabecular bone with fiducial markers. The rods of the phantom could be adjusted to vary in distance and orientation to simulate complex deformation of muscle samples. To date, forearm muscle motion has been studied in 8 controls and 5 patients. The patients were either undergoing tendon transplant or had experienced denervation of some of the muscles of the forearm. The patients had been diagnosed with patellar tracking problems, which caused pain and limited the use of the joint.