Satoru Ikebe

Three‐dimensional motion analysis of the patellar component in total knee arthroplasty by the image matching method using image correlations

In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the patella is significantly associated with range of motion and gait performance. Currently, no highly accurate methods are available that can measure the 3D in vivo behavior of the TKA patellar component, as the component is made of x‐ray‐permeable ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene. Previously, we developed a computer simulation that matches CT scan and unidirectional radiographic images using image correlations, and applied it to kinematic studies of natural and TKA knees. The examination of the measurement accuracy for the patellar bone of a fresh‐frozen pig knee joint yielded a root mean square error of 0.2 mm in translation and 0.2° in rotation. In this study, we recruited four patients who had a TKA and investigated 3D movements of the patellar component during squatting. We could visualize the patellar component using the position of the holes drilled for the component peg, and estimated and visualized the contact points between the patellar and femoral components. The principles and the utility of the simulation method are reported. This analytical method is useful for evaluating the pathologies and post‐surgical conditions of the knee and other joints.

Contact stress analysis of the anterior tibial post in bi-cruciate stabilized and mobile-bearing posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty designs

In posterior-stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA), unexpected wear and fracture of the tibial post due to anterior post impingement have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the contact stress on the anterior aspect of the tibial post in four contemporary TKA designs. We evaluated one bi-cruciate stabilized design (Journey II) and three mobile-bearing PS designs (Vanguard RP, PFC Sigma RP, and NexGen LPS Mobile). The contact conditions at the anterior aspect of the tibial post were determined upon application of a posterior force of 100N to individual implants. Each measurement was sequentially performed five times, and the data were compared within and across designs using analysis of variance and a post-hoc test. The contact stress of the Journey II and Vanguard RP was less than the compressive yield stress for polyethylene (10MPa) at all tested flexion angles and degrees of rotation. The PFC Sigma RP did not show anterior tibial post impingement under any experimental conditions. The NexGen LPS Mobile demonstrated bilateral edge loading at the anterior tibial post and exceeded 10MPa of contact stress in some test conditions. Thus, the differences among implants in terms of the dimensions of the femoral anterior cam or intercondylar notch and the anterior aspect of the tibial post in the axial and sagittal planes led to significant differences in contact conditions. The present study helps the surgeon to be more aware that various contact conditions of the anterior aspect of the tibial post can occur in individual TKA designs.

Dynamic Hip Kinematics During the Golf Swing After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: Although most surgeons allow their patients to play golf after total hip arthroplasty (THA), the effect on the implant during the golf swing is still unclear. Purpose: To evaluate hip kinematics during the golf swing after THA. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Eleven hips in 9 patients who underwent primary THA were analyzed. All patients were right-handed recreational golfers, and these 11 hips included 6 right hips and 5 left hips. Periodic radiographic images of the golf swing were taken using a flat-panel x-ray detector. Movements of the hip joint and components were assessed using 3-dimensional–to–2-dimensional model-to-image registration techniques. Liner-to-neck contact and translation of the femoral head with respect to the acetabular cup (cup-head translation) were examined. Hip kinematics, orientation of components, and maximum cup-head translation were compared between patients with and without liner-to-neck contact. Results: On average, the golf swing produced approximately 50° of axial rotation in both lead and trail hips. Liner-to-neck contact was observed in 4 hips with elevated rim liners (2 lead hips and 2 trail hips) at maximum external rotation. Neither bone-to-bone nor bone-to-implant contact was observed at any phases of the golf swing in any of the hips. Four hips with liner-to-neck contact had significantly larger maximum external rotation (37.9° ± 7.0° vs 20.6° ± 9.9°, respectively; P = .01) and more cup anteversion (26.5° ± 6.1° vs 10.8° ± 8.9°, respectively; P = .01) than hips without liner-to-neck contact. No significant differences between hips with and without contact were found for cup inclination (42.0° ± 2.5° vs 38.1° ± 5.5°, respectively; P = .22), combined anteversion (45.3° ± 8.9° vs 51.4° ± 7.9°, respectively; P = .26), or maximum cup-head translation (1.3 ± 0.3 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.4 mm, respectively; P = .61). Conclusion: In this analysis, the golf swing did not produce excessive hip rotation or cup-head translation in any hips. However, liner-to-neck contact during the golf swing was observed in 36% of the hips, with unknown effects on the long-term results. Clinical Relevance: Golf is an admissible sport after THA because dynamic hip stability was observed. However, the implant position, especially cup anteversion and the use of elevated rim liners, promoted liner-to-neck contact.

Dynamic hip kinematics in patients with hip osteoarthritis during weight-bearing activities

BACKGROUND There is an interest in quantifying the hip kinematics of patients with end-stage hip disorders before total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of the present study was to obtain dynamic hip kinematics under four different conditions, including deep flexion and rotation, in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. METHODS Continuous X-ray images were obtained in 14 patients during gait, chair-rising, squatting, and twisting, using a flat panel X-ray detector. These patients received computed tomography scan to generate virtual digitally reconstructed radiographs. The density-based digitally reconstructed radiographs were then compared with the serial X-ray images acquired using image correlations. These 3D-to-2D model-to-image registration techniques determined the 3D positions and orientations of the pelvis and femur during the movement cycle of each activity. FINDINGS For gait, chair-rising, and squatting, the maximum hip flexion angles averaged 22°, 64°, and 68°, respectively. The pelvis was tilted anteriorly by an average of around 7° during the full gait cycle. For chair-rising and squatting, the maximum absolute values of anterior/posterior pelvic tilt averaged 8°/17° and 6°/18°, respectively. Hip flexion showed maximum flexion angle on the way of movement due to further anterior pelvic tilt during both chair-rising and squatting. For twisting, the maximum absolute values of internal/external hip rotation averaged 3°/13°. INTERPRETATION Patients with hip osteoarthritis prior to total hip arthroplasty demonstrated the limited ranges of coordinated motion of the pelvis, femur, and hip joint during each activity, especially in deeply flexed and rotated postures.

Preoperative tibial mechanical axis orientation and articular surface design influence on the coronal joint line orientation relative to the ground during gait after total knee arthroplasties

PurposeNeutral lower limb alignment does not necessarily produce a horizontal joint line after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The orientation of the pre- and postoperative tibial mechanical axes (TMAs-G), tibial component, and joint line relative to the ground were evaluated.MethodsThe study group included 46 knees, 23 posterior-stabilized (PS) and 23 bicruciate-stabilized (BCS) TKAs. Using whole-leg standing radiographs, the static orientation of the pre- and postoperative TMAs-G and the tibial component as well as the postoperative alignment were measured. Applying image-matching techniques, the dynamic coronal orientation of the tibial component and joint line over the stance phase of gait were analysed. The correlation between static and dynamic orientation of the tibial component and differences in the joint line between the PS and BCS TKAs were evaluated.ResultsIn standing, the postoperative TMA-G (0.8° ± 2.8°) and tibial component (1.5° ± 2.4°) were laterally tilted with a strong correlation. The preoperative lateral tilt of the TMA-G (7.9° ± 5.1°) was a significant predictor of the postoperative TMA-G. The lateral tilt of the tibial component increased to 5.1° ± 2.4° on dynamic analysis, and was moderately correlated to static orientation. The dynamic orientation of the joint line was smaller for the BCS (1.8° ± 2.4°) compared to the PS (5.5° ± 2.7°) TKA.ConclusionEven with a mechanically well-aligned TKA, a lateral tilt of the tibial component was identified due to the lateral tilt of the postoperative TMA-G and the stance phase of gait. The BCS can better accommodate the residual lateral tilt of the joint line due to the 3° medial inclination of the joint surfaces of the implant. This study increases the awareness of surgeons regarding the possibility of the coronal joint line orientation to influence preoperative TMA-G and be accommodated by articular surface design, even in mechanically aligned TKA.Level of evidenceIV.

Knee kinematics in bi-cruciate stabilized total knee arthroplasty during squatting and stair-climbing activities

This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and in vivo kinematics of bi-cruciate stabilized (BCS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA), using image-matching techniques. We analyzed tibiofemoral anteroposterior translation, axial rotation, and anterior/posterior cam-post contact for 22 BCS TKAs during squatting and stair-climbing. The functional activities on the 2011 Knee Society Score were significantly improved from 36 to 71. The tibiofemoral translation and axial rotation during squatting/stair-climbing were 16.1 mm/7.1 mm and 2.5° external/1.1° internal, respectively. Anterior/posterior cam-post contacts were observed during squatting (14%/96%) and stair-climbing (27%/96%). In conclusion, BCS TKA produced physiological sagittal plane kinematics during activities with favorable clinical outcomes.

Pre- and post-operative evaluation of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement during squat using image-matching techniques: A case report

Highlights • Hip kinematics with pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement were evaluated.• Rim-neck clearance was visualized based on patient’s kinematics and morphology.• Image-matching techniques were used for pre-and post-operative evaluation.• We could detect the precise location of the impingement during squat.• Image-matching techniques were useful to assess femoroacetabular impingement.

In vivo dynamic acromiohumeral distance in shoulders with rotator cuff tears

Background: There are no previous studies on the acromiohumeral distance in shoulders with large‐to‐massive full‐thickness rotator cuff tears. In this study, the acromiohumeral distance in rotator cuff tear and healthy shoulders was measured using 3D‐to‐2D model‐to‐image registration techniques. Methods: The dynamic glenohumeral kinematics during scapular plane abduction and axial rotation were analyzed in 11 rotator cuff tear patients and 10 healthy control subjects. Periodic radiographic images of scapular plane abduction and axial rotation were taken using a flat‐panel radiograph image detector. Movements of the shoulder joint were assessed using radiographic images and computed tomography‐derived digitally reconstructed radiographs. The acromiohumeral distance was defined as the shortest 3D distance between the acromion and the proximal humerus. Findings: For scapular plane abduction, the rotator cuff tear group had significantly smaller acromiohumeral distance than the control group at 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 135°, and 150° of humeral abduction (P < 0.05 at each measured angle). For axial rotation in the adducted position, the rotator cuff tear group had significantly smaller acromiohumeral distance than the control group at each point between −20° and 40° of glenohumeral external rotation (P < 0.05 at each measured angle). Interpretation: The minimum measured acromiohumeral distance was 0.9 mm in the rotator cuff tear shoulders and 2.1 mm in the healthy shoulders at 90° of scapular plane abduction. The findings are of clinical relevance because quantitative evaluation of the dynamic acromiohumeral distances in rotator cuff tear and healthy shoulders might provide important insight into subacromial impingement. HighlightsAcromiohumeral distance in rotator cuff tear and healthy shoulders was measured.3D‐to‐2D model‐to‐image registration techniques were performed.Acromiohumeral distance was significantly smaller in rotator cuff tear shoulders.Quantitative evaluation of acromiohumeral distance might provide important insight.