Extract
The in vivo measurement of dynamic knee kinematics is important for
understanding the effects of joint injuries and diseases and for evaluating
the outcome of surgical procedures. Researchers have used in vitro approaches
(involving cadavers), noninvasive approaches (involving studies done at gait
laboratories), and in vivo approaches (involving roentgen stereophotogrammetry
and fluoroscopy) to assess human knee motion. To ensure that the loads that
are encountered during typical movements are accurately incorporated,
treatments that are aimed at improving knee function should be evaluated with
use of data that are obtained with dynamic measurement methods. This requires
that the six-degrees-of-freedom pose (position and orientation) of objects be
measured during dynamic activities. The purpose of the current study was to
accurately determine the three-dimensional kinematic patterns of normal and
anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees during in vivo weight-bearing
activities with use of a novel intensity-based two-dimensional to
three-dimensional image registration method, similar to that previously
utilized to analyze the kinematics of total knee
arthroplasty1.