Journal article
A six-degrees-of-freedom instrumented linkage for measuring the flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint complex
Journal of biomechanics, v 29(7), pp 943-947
1996
PMID: 8809624
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Diagnosis of ligament injuries to the ankle joint complex is a difficult clinical problem which relies primarily on manual physical examination and on radiographic evaluations. In an attempt to develop a reliable, quantitative diagnostic tool for such injuries we developed a six-degrees-of-freedom instrumented linkage: (Ankle Flexibility Tester—AFT), capable of measuring the flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint complex
in vivo. The unique non-serial structure of this linkage was such that these characteristics were recorded directly in an anatomical coordinate system which enhanced clinical interpretation. The goal of the present study was to develop this linkage and to test its accuracy and its test-retest reliability.
The positional accuracy of the AFT was measured and was found to be better than 0.5 mm for translation and 1.2° for rotations. The results obtained from a study conducted on two cadaveric specimens indicate negligible effect of loading rate on the flexibility characteristics within the range of possible manually applied loads. Finally, the reliability of the AFT was examined from test-retest studies conducted on a total of thirteen young healthy volunteers. The intraclass correlation coefficient: (ICC),, calculated from the test-retest data, indicated a reliability higher than 0.85.
It was concluded that the high reliability and accuracy of the AFT, its simplicity of operation, the easy alignment procedure, the on-line load-displacement results, and the elimination of complex data processing render this device suitable for use in the clinic as well as in the research laboratory.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- A six-degrees-of-freedom instrumented linkage for measuring the flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint complex
- Creators
- Sorin Siegler - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University and Hahnemann/Drexel Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.AStephan Lapointe - Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute, Drexel University and Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, PA, Philadelphia, U.S.ARobert Nobilinit - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University and Hahnemann/Drexel Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.AArnold T Berman - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
- Publication Details
- Journal of biomechanics, v 29(7), pp 943-947
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:A1996UV35000011
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-0029661898
- Other Identifier
- 991014877935004721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Biophysics
- Engineering, Biomedical