In this project, which is part of Medical Technology, biomechanics forms the centre of attention, and is used in problems in which relationships between mechanical load and complaints of bone, connective tissue and muscles, are of interest. Aim of the project is to contribute to cooperation-projects by realizing special experimental devices for medical use, with which, during the research, scientific support for theories and experiments is given. Chronical pain in the lower back and pelvic as well as arm and hand form the main centre of attention. Snijders Musculoskeletal disorders form the single most expensive disease in the society. Low back pain dominates.
Theories focus on heavy load on the lumbar spine when lifting stooped postures.
According to the model, resistance against shear results from compression of the typical SI-joint surfaces with features like coarse texture, symmetrical ridges and grooves and undulated shape. After validation experiments on cadavers and healthy subjects, the following conlcusions were derived. For the basis of the spine heavy loading conditions are not necessarily worse than unconstrained standing and sitting, in which low back pain often is experienced. The gluteus maximus, oblique abdominal, latissimus dorsi, piriformis and biceps femoris muscles are important for compression and thus stability of the SI-joints. In unconstrained standing and sitting the activity of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris action is shown to be absent.