Structural connectivity changes in unilateral hearing loss.

Network connectivity, as mapped by the whole brain connectome, plays a crucial role in regulating auditory function. Auditory deprivation such as unilateral hearing loss might alter structural network connectivity; however, these potential alterations are poorly understood. Thirty-seven acoustic neuroma patients with unilateral hearing loss (19 left-sided and 18 right-sided) and 19 healthy controls underwent diffusion-weighted and T1-weighted imaging to assess edge strength, node strength, and global efficiency of the structural connectome. Edge strength was estimated by pair-wise normalized streamline density from tractography and connectomics. Node strength and global efficiency were calculated through graph theory analysis of the connectome. Pure-tone audiometry and word recognition scores were used to correlate the degree and duration of unilateral hearing loss with node strength and global efficiency. We demonstrate significantly stronger edge strength and node strength through the visual network, weaker edge strength and node strength in the somatomotor network, and stronger global efficiency in the unilateral hearing loss patients. No discernible correlations were observed between the degree and duration of unilateral hearing loss and the measures of node strength or global efficiency. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of structural connectivity in hearing by facilitating visual network upregulation and somatomotor network downregulation after unilateral hearing loss.

Hippocampus diffusivity abnormalities in classical trigeminal neuralgia.

Introduction: Patients with chronic pain frequently report cognitive symptoms that affect memory and attention, which are functions attributed to the hippocampus. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder characterized by paroxysmal attacks of unilateral orofacial pain. Given the stereotypical nature of TN pain and lack of negative symptoms including sensory loss, TN provides a unique model to investigate the hippocampal implications of chronic pain. Recent evidence demonstrated that TN is associated with macrostructural hippocampal abnormalities indicated by reduced subfield volumes; however, there is a paucity in our understanding of hippocampal microstructural abnormalities associated with TN. Objectives: To explore diffusivity metrics within the hippocampus, along with its functional and structural subfields, in patients with TN. Methods: To examine hippocampal microstructure, we utilized diffusion tensor imaging in 31 patients with TN and 21 controls. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were segmented into hippocampal subfields and registered into diffusion-weighted imaging space. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity were extracted for hippocampal subfields and longitudinal axis segmentations. Results: Patients with TN demonstrated reduced FA in bilateral whole hippocampi and hippocampal body and contralateral subregions CA2/3 and CA4, indicating microstructural hippocampal abnormalities. Notably, patients with TN showed significant correlation between age and hippocampal FA, while controls did not exhibit this correlation. These effects were driven chiefly by female patients with TN. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that TN is associated with microstructural hippocampal abnormalities, which may precede and potentially be temporally linked to volumetric hippocampal alterations demonstrated previously. These findings provide further evidence for the role of the hippocampus in chronic pain and suggest the potential for targeted interventions to mitigate cognitive symptoms in patients with chronic pain.

Brain imaging signatures of neuropathic facial pain derived by artificial intelligence.

Advances in neuroimaging have permitted the non-invasive examination of the human brain in pain. However, a persisting challenge is in the objective differentiation of neuropathic facial pain subtypes, as diagnosis is based on patients' symptom descriptions. We use artificial intelligence (AI) models with neuroimaging data to distinguish subtypes of neuropathic facial pain and differentiate them from healthy controls. We conducted a retrospective analysis of diffusion tensor and T1-weighted imaging data using random forest and logistic regression AI models on 371 adults with trigeminal pain (265 classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN), 106 trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP)) and 108 healthy controls (HC). These models distinguished CTN from HC with up to 95% accuracy, and TNP from HC with up to 91% accuracy. Both classifiers identified gray and white matter-based predictive metrics (gray matter thickness, surface area, and volume; white matter diffusivity metrics) that significantly differed across groups. Classification of TNP and CTN did not show significant accuracy (51%) but highlighted two structures that differed between pain groups-the insula and orbitofrontal cortex. Our work demonstrates that AI models with brain imaging data alone can differentiate neuropathic facial pain subtypes from healthy data and identify regional structural indicates of pain.

Sex differences in patient journeys to diagnosis, referral, and surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: implications for equitable care.

OBJECTIVE: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an orofacial pain disorder that is more prevalent in females than males. Although an increasing number of studies point to sex differences in chronic pain, how sex impacts TN patients' journeys to care has not been previously addressed. This study sought to investigate sex differences in patients' journeys to diagnosis, referral, and treatment of TN within a large national context. METHODS: Patients with classic TN (n = 100; 50 females and 50 males) were randomly selected through chart reviews at the largest surgical treatment center for TN in Canada for a cross-sectional study. Statistical tests, including Welch's t-test, the chi-square test, Pearson's correlations, and analyses of covariance, were conducted with Python. RESULTS: Key discrepancies between sexes in access to care were identified. Females had a significantly longer referral time interval (average 53.2 months vs 20.4 months, median 27.5 months vs 11.0 months, p = 0.018) and total time interval (average 121.1 months vs 67.8 months, median 78.0 months vs 45.2 months, p = 0.018) than males, despite reporting higher pain intensity at referral. Although medically intolerant patients had a significantly shorter referral time interval than medically tolerant patients (average 13.0 months vs 41.0 months, median 6.0 months vs 17.0 months, p < 0.001), medically tolerant females had a significantly longer referral time interval than medically tolerant males (average 59.9 months vs 21.7 months, median 30.0 months vs 12.0 months, p = 0.017). No statistically significant differences were detected between the sexes for diagnostic time interval (average 63.3 months vs 43.0 months, median 24.0 months vs 24.0 months, p = 0.263) or treatment time interval (average 4.6 months vs 4.7 months, median 4.0 months vs 3.0 months, p = 0.986). CONCLUSIONS: Critical sex differences in patients' journeys to TN surgical treatment were identified, with females enduring considerably longer referral timelines and expressing significantly greater pain intensity than males at referral. Taken together, our findings suggest the presence of unconscious bias and discrimination against females and highlight the need for expediting TN treatment referral for female TN patients.

Differential expression of a brain aging biomarker across discrete chronic pain disorders.

ABSTRACT: Chronic pain has widespread, detrimental effects on the human nervous system and its prevalence and burden increase with age. Machine learning techniques have been applied on brain images to produce statistical models of brain aging. Specifically, the Gaussian process regression is particularly effective at predicting chronological age from neuroimaging data which permits the calculation of a brain age gap estimate (brain-AGE). Pathological biological processes such as chronic pain can influence brain-AGE. Because chronic pain disorders can differ in etiology, severity, pain frequency, and sex-linked prevalence, we hypothesize that the expression of brain-AGE may be pain specific and differ between discrete chronic pain disorders. We built a machine learning model using T1-weighted anatomical MRI from 812 healthy controls to extract brain-AGE for 45 trigeminal neuralgia (TN), 52 osteoarthritis (OA), and 50 chronic low back pain (BP) subjects. False discovery rate corrected Welch t tests were conducted to detect significant differences in brain-AGE between each discrete pain cohort and age-matched and sex-matched controls. Trigeminal neuralgia and OA, but not BP subjects, have significantly larger brain-AGE. Across all 3 pain groups, we observed female-driven elevation in brain-AGE. Furthermore, in TN, a significantly larger brain-AGE is associated with response to Gamma Knife radiosurgery for TN pain and is inversely correlated with the age at diagnosis. As brain-AGE expression differs across distinct pain disorders with a pronounced sex effect for female subjects. Younger women with TN may therefore represent a vulnerable subpopulation requiring expedited chronic pain intervention. To this end, brain-AGE holds promise as an effective biomarker of pain treatment response.

Peripheral Nerve Focused Ultrasound Lesioning-Visualization and Assessment Using Diffusion Weighted Imaging.

Objectives: Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive targeted tissue ablation technique that can be applied to the nervous system. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can visualize and evaluate nervous system microstructure. Tractography algorithms can reconstruct fiber bundles which can be used for treatment navigation and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics permit the quantitative assessment of nerve microstructure in vivo. There is a need for imaging tools to aid in the visualization and quantitative assessment of treatment-related nerve changes in MRgFUS. We present a method of peripheral nerve tract reconstruction and use DTI metrics to evaluate the MRgFUS treatment effect. Materials and Methods: MRgFUS was applied bilaterally to the sciatic nerves in 6 piglets (12 nerves total). T1-weighted and diffusion images were acquired before and after treatment. Tensor-based and constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) tractography algorithms were used to reconstruct the nerves. DTI metrics of fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial diffusivities (RD) were measured to assess acute (<1-2 h) treatment effects. Temperature was measured in vivo via MR thermometry. Histological data was collected for lesion assessment. Results: The sciatic nerves were successfully reconstructed in all subjects. Tract disruption was observed after treatment using both CSD and tensor models. DTI metrics in the targeted nerve segments showed significantly decreased FA and increased MD, AD, and RD. Transducer output power was positively correlated with lesion volume and temperature and negatively correlated with MD, AD, and RD. No correlations were observed between FA and other measured parameters. Conclusions: DWI and tractography are effective tools for visualizing peripheral nerve segments for targeting in non-invasive surgical methods and for assessing the microstructural changes that occur following MRgFUS treatment.

Early Experience With Locked Intramedullary Wrist Arthrodesis.

PURPOSE: The most common method of total wrist arthrodesis is dorsal compression plating, which can require revision for soft tissue or tendon irritation. A locked intramedullary system was developed to reduce this complication. The goal of this study was to investigate the complication rate of total wrist arthrodesis using this system in our center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing intramedullary wrist arthrodesis from January 2016 to February 2018 was performed. RESULTS: Nine wrist arthrodeses were performed with locked intramedullary wrist fusion in 5 women and 4 men. The indications for fusion included posttraumatic arthritis in 7 and inflammatory arthritis in 2. Two patients underwent primary arthrodesis and 7 had revision from prior partial wrist fusions. Local bone graft at the radiocarpal joint was used in all cases. The mean follow-up was 27 weeks. Radiocarpal fusion was achieved in 8 patients after the initial procedure and in the ninth patient after revision. There were 6 complications in 4 patients with revision reoperation required in 3. The complications were metacarpal locking screw migration in 3, metacarpal fracture in 1, radiocarpal nonunion in 1, and symptomatic middle finger carpometacarpal nonunion in 1. The revision surgeries include distal screw removal in 1, distal screw removal with replacement in 1, and bone grafting in the radiocarpal nonunion. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the locked intramedullary wrist fusion system yields high fusion rates. However, based on the high complication rate, particularly from distal screw migration, and the high revision rate in this series, we recommend caution with the use of this system. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic V.

Brainstem trigeminal fiber microstructural abnormalities are associated with treatment response across subtypes of trigeminal neuralgia.

ABSTRACT: Neurosurgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can provide long-lasting pain relief; however, some patients fail to respond and undergo multiple, repeat procedures. Surgical outcomes can vary depending on the type of TN, but the reasons for this are not well understood. Neuroimaging studies of TN point to abnormalities in the brainstem trigeminal fibers; however, whether this is a common characteristic of treatment nonresponse across different subtypes of TN is unknown. Here, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to determine whether the brainstem trigeminal fiber microstructure is a common biomarker of surgical response in TN and whether the extent of these abnormalities is associated with the likelihood of response across subtypes of TN. We studied 98 patients with TN (61 classical TN, 26 TN secondary to multiple sclerosis, and 11 TN associated with a solitary pontine lesion) who underwent neurosurgical treatment and 50 healthy controls. We assessed treatment response using pain intensity measures and examined microstructural features by extracting pretreatment DTI metrics from the proximal pontine segment of the trigeminal nerves. We found that microstructural abnormalities in the affected pontine trigeminal fibers (notably, lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity) highlight treatment nonresponders (n = 47) compared with responders (n = 51) and controls, and that the degree of abnormalities is associated with the likelihood of surgical response across subtypes of TN. These novel findings demonstrate the value of DTI as an objective, noninvasive tool for the prediction of treatment response and elucidate the features that distinguish treatment responders from nonresponders in the TN population.

Development and validation of a universal blood donor genotyping platform: a multinational prospective study.

Each year, blood transfusions save millions of lives. However, under current blood-matching practices, sensitization to non-self-antigens is an unavoidable adverse side effect of transfusion. We describe a universal donor typing platform that could be adopted by blood services worldwide to facilitate a universal extended blood-matching policy and reduce sensitization rates. This DNA-based test is capable of simultaneously typing most clinically relevant red blood cell (RBC), human platelet (HPA), and human leukocyte (HLA) antigens. Validation was performed, using samples from 7927 European, 27 South Asian, 21 East Asian, and 9 African blood donors enrolled in 2 national biobanks. We illustrated the usefulness of the platform by analyzing antibody data from patients sensitized with multiple RBC alloantibodies. Genotyping results demonstrated concordance of 99.91%, 99.97%, and 99.03% with RBC, HPA, and HLA clinically validated typing results in 89 371, 3016, and 9289 comparisons, respectively. Genotyping increased the total number of antigen typing results available from 110 980 to >1 200 000. Dense donor typing allowed identification of 2 to 6 times more compatible donors to serve 3146 patients with multiple RBC alloantibodies, providing at least 1 match for 176 individuals for whom previously no blood could be found among the same donors. This genotyping technology is already being used to type thousands of donors taking part in national genotyping studies. Extraction of dense antigen-typing data from these cohorts provides blood supply organizations with the opportunity to implement a policy of genomics-based precision matching of blood.

The Utility of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Neuromodulation: Moving Beyond Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Conventional targeting methods for neuromodulation therapies are insufficient for visualizing targets along white matter pathways and localizing targets in patient-specific space. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) holds promise for enhancing neuromodulation targeting by allowing detailed visualization of white matter tracts and their connections on an individual level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We review the literature on DTI and neuromodulation, focusing on clinical studies that have utilized DTI tractography for surgical neuromodulation planning. This primarily includes the growing number of studies on tractography-guided targeting in deep brain stimulation as well as magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound. RESULTS: In this review, we discuss three main topics: 1) an overview of the basic principles of DTI, its metrics, and tractography, 2) the evolution and utility of DTI to better guide neuromodulation targets, and 3) the ability of DTI to investigate structural connectivity and brain networks, and how such a network perspective may be an integral part of identifying new or optimal neuromodulation targets. CONCLUSION: There is increasing evidence that DTI is superior to conventional targeting methods with respect to improving brain stimulation therapies. DTI has the ability to better define anatomical targets by allowing detailed visualization of white matter tracts and localizing targets based on individual anatomy. Network analyses can lead to the identification of new or optimal stimulation targets based on understanding how target regions are connected. The integration of DTI as part of routine MRI and surgical planning offers a more personalized approach to therapy and may be an important path for the future of neuromodulation.

Acute MR-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Lesion Assessment Using Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Histological Analysis.

Objectives: The application of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for the treatment of neurological conditions has been of increasing interest. Conventional MR imaging can provide structural information about the effect of MRgFUS, where differences in ablated tissue can be seen, but it lacks information about the status of the cellular environment or neural microstructure. We investigate in vivo acute changes in water diffusion and white matter tracts in the brain of a piglet model after MRgFUS treatment using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with histological verification of treatment-related changes. Methods: MRgFUS was used to treat the anterior body of the fornix in four piglets. T1 and diffusion-weighted images were collected before and after treatment. Mean diffusion-weighted imaging (MDWI) images were generated to measure lesion volumes via signal intensity thresholds. Histological data were collected for volume comparison and assessment of treatment effect. DWI metric maps of fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) were generated for quantitative assessment. Fornix-related fiber tracts were generated before and after treatment for qualitative assessment. Results: The volume of treated tissue measured via MDWI did not differ significantly from histological measurements, and both were significantly larger than the treatment cell volume. Diffusion metrics in the treatment region were significantly decreased following MRgFUS treatment, with the peak change seen at the lesion core and decreasing radially. Histological analysis confirmed an area of coagulative necrosis in the targeted region with sharp demarcation zone with surrounding brain. Tractography from the lesion core and the fornix revealed fiber disruptions following treatment. Conclusions: Diffusion maps and fiber tractography are an effective method for assessing lesion volumes and microstructural changes in vivo following MRgFUS treatment. This study demonstrates that DWI has the potential to advance MRgFUS by providing convenient in vivo microstructural lesion and fiber tractography assessment after treatment.

Acute ex vivo changes in brain white matter diffusion tensor metrics.

PURPOSE: Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and tractography has an important role in the visualization of brain white matter and assessment of tissue microstructure. There is a lack of correspondence between diffusion metrics of live tissue, ex vivo tissue, and histological findings. The objective of this study is to elucidate this connection by determining the specific diffusion alterations between live and ex vivo brain tissue. This may have an important role in the incorporation of diffusion imaging in ex vivo studies as a complement to histological sectioning as well as investigations of novel neurosurgical techniques. METHODS: This study presents a method of high angular resolution diffusion imaging and tractography of intact and non-fixed ex vivo piglet brains. Most studies involving ex vivo brain specimens have been formalin-fixed or excised from their original biological environment, processes both of which are known to affect diffusion parameters. Thus, non-fixed ex vivo tissue is used. A region-of-interest based analysis of diffusion tensor metrics are compared to in vivo subjects in a selection of major white matter bundles in order to assess the translatability of ex vivo diffusion measurements. RESULTS: Tractography was successfully achieved in both in vivo and ex vivo groups. No significant differences were found in tract connectivity, average streamline length, or apparent fiber density. Significantly decreased diffusivity (mean, axial, and radial; p<0.0005) in the non-fixed ex vivo group and unaltered fractional anisotropy (p>0.059) between groups were observed. CONCLUSION: This study validates the extrapolation of non-fixed fractional anisotropy measurements to live tissue and the potential use of ex vivo tissue for methodological development.

Effect of initial emergency room imaging choice on time to hip reduction and repeat imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Hip dislocations are highly morbid injuries necessitating prompt reduction and post-reduction assessment for fracture and incarcerated fragments. Recent literature has questioned the need for initial pelvic radiographs for acute trauma patients, resulting in computed tomography (CT) scans as the initial evaluation. This study investigates the relationship between choice of pre-reduction imaging and treatment of acute hip dislocations. DESIGN: Retrospective Case-Control. SETTING: Single Academic Level I Trauma Center. METHODS: All acute hip dislocations from 2011 to 2016 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria were diagnosis of dislocation at another facility, death prior to reduction, emergent surgical or ICU intervention, and periprosthetic dislocation. Patients were grouped by those with only a radiograph prior to reduction, Group I, versus those with a pre-reduction CT scan, Group II. The primary outcomes were time to reduction and the acquisition of a second CT scan. RESULTS: Of the 123 hip dislocations identified, 35 patients were excluded, mostly for transfer with a known dislocation. Group I included 29 patients and Group II included 59 patients. The mean time to reduction was 74 min in Group I and 129 min in Group II for a difference of 55 min (p < 0.001). The rate of repeat CT scan was 0 in Group I versus 48 (81%) in Group II (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Initial trauma pelvic radiography prior to CT is still important in the setting of suspected hip pathology to decrease time to hip reduction and unnecessary radiation exposure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III.

Time course and extent of functional recovery during the first postoperative year after minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty with two different surgical approaches--a randomized controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: While others have reported short-term comparisons between various minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and their conventional analogues, longer-term data is lacking, as is information indicating whether MIS approaches to THA provide a biomechanically complete recovery. Furthermore, different MIS approaches have not been compared. Our approaches of interest were a one-incision modified Watson-Jones, and a two-incision approach. HYPOTHESES: (1) There are significant differences in gait recovery patterns between the two surgical groups and (2) THA subjects have significant differences in function one year after surgery compared to control subjects. To test these hypotheses, THA candidates (n=26) were randomized to receive one of these MIS approaches and evaluated preoperatively, and postoperatively at 3 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Evaluations included three-dimensional gait analysis and 24-hour step-counts. The same data were obtained from 25 control subjects. Recovery time-course was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. T-tests were used to compare controls with the pooled group of THA subjects. We found no differences between the two THA surgical groups regarding the time-course of recovery (p≥0.591). Although recovery was statistically complete by 3 months postoperatively for all variables, there were significant differences from controls at 12 months. Most notably, the external hip adduction moment, which reflects hip abductor function, was more than one standard deviation below normal (p<0.001). THA subject inactivity could not explain the gait differences, since one year after surgery daily step counts were not significantly different from controls (p=0.346). More work is necessary to determine ways to improve biomechanical outcomes for today's patients with high expectations for function and implant longevity.

Implications of using hierarchical and six degree-of-freedom models for normal gait analyses.

Hierarchical biomechanical models (conventional gait model, CGM) are attractive because of simple data collection demands, yet they are susceptible to errors that are theoretically better controlled using six degree-of-freedom models that track body segments independently (OPT1). We wished to compare gait variables obtained with these models. Twenty-five normal children walked while wearing a hybrid marker configuration, permitting identical strides to be analyzed using CGM and OPT1. Kinematics and ground reaction forces were obtained using a common motion capture system. CGM and OPT1 were implemented in Visual3D software, where inverse dynamics provided 20 clinically relevant gait variables (joint angles, moments and powers). These were compared between models using dependent t-tests (Bonferroni-adjusted alpha of 0.0025), and ensemble averages. We hypothesized that OPT1 would provide data similar to CGM in the sagittal plane, and different from CGM in coronal and transverse planes. Six variables were significantly different in the sagittal plane, suggesting that CGM produced a more extended lower extremity; this was explained by a posterior bias to the lateral knee marker during knee flexion, as a result of skin movement artifact. No significant differences were found in coronal plane variables. Four variables were significantly different in the transverse plane. Ensemble averages were comparable between models. For normal children, biomechanical interpretations based upon these tested variables are unlikely to change due to independent segment tracking alone (CGM vs. OPT1). Additional differences may appear due to pathology, and when segment reference frames are changed from those used in CGM to reflect individual anatomy.

Cobb angle progression in adolescent scoliosis begins at the intervertebral disc.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal radiographic study of patients with progressive idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative contributions of vertebral and disc wedging to the increase in Cobb angle during 3 phases of adolescent skeletal growth and maturation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Both disc wedging and vertebral body wedging are found in progressive scoliosis, but their relative contribution to curve progression over time is unknown. Which occurs first is important for understanding how scoliosis progresses and for developing methods to halt progression. Previous studies have not properly identified maturity, and provide conflicting results. METHODS: Eighteen girls were followed through their adolescent growth spurt with serial spine and hand skeletal age radiographs. Each Cobb angle was divided into disc wedge angles and vertebral wedge angles. The corresponding hand radiographs provided a measure of maturity level, the Digital Skeletal Age (DSA). The disc versus bone contributions to the Cobb angle were then compared during 3 growth phases: before the growth spurt, during the growth spurt and after the growth spurt. Significance of relative changes was assessed with the Wilcoxon 2-sided mean rank test. RESULTS: Before the growth spurt, there was no difference in relative contributions of the disc and the bone (3 degrees vs. 0 degrees, P = 0.38) to curve progression. During the growth spurt, the mean disc component progressed significantly more than that of the vertebrae (15 degrees vs. 0 degrees, P = 0.0002). This reversed following the growth spurt with the vertebral component progressing more than the disc (10 degrees vs. 0 degrees, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis initially increases through disc wedging during the rapid growth spurt with progressive vertebral wedging occurring later.

New methodology for multi-dimensional spinal joint testing with a parallel robot.

Six degree-of-freedom (6DOF) robots can be used to examine joints and their mechanical properties with the spatial freedom encountered physiologically. Parallel robots are capable of 6DOF motion under large payloads making them ideal for joint testing. This study developed and assessed novel methods for spinal joint testing with a custom-built parallel robot implementing hybrid load-position control. We hypothesized these methods would allow multi-dimensional control of joint loading scenarios, resulting in physiological joint motions. Tests were performed in 3DOF and 6DOF. 3DOF methods controlled the forces and the principal moment within +/-10 N and 0.25 N m under combined bending and compressive loads. 6DOF tests required larger tolerances for convergence due to machine compliance, however expected motion patterns were still observed. The unique mechanism and control approaches show promise for enabling complex three-dimensional loading patterns for in vitro joint biomechanics, and could facilitate research using specimens with unknown, changing, or nonlinear load-deformation properties.

Impact of mediolateral segmentation on a multi-segment foot model.

MacWilliams et al. report their progress on a multi-segment foot model, including mediolateral segmentation, from which they calculate kinematics and kinetics [MacWilliams BA, Cowley M, Nicholson DE. Foot kinematics and kinetics during adolescent gait. Gait Posture 2003;17:214-24]. Their methods are generally well described, and in concept, lead us to new insights regarding foot biomechanics during gait, including kinetics of several joints within the foot itself. However, forces and moments (i.e., force systems) between mediolaterally adjacent segments were ignored in their inverse dynamics calculations. We show theoretically that these omitted force systems instead corrupt the calculated proximal force systems. We also show empirically that physiologically reasonable moment-arms (10-20 mm) and omitted forces (one to four bodyweights) could change both the shape and magnitude of the calculated proximal force systems. In this regard, we demonstrate that these kinetic data need to be viewed with caution. Finally, we extend the concept used in our analysis to general biomechanical modeling.

Performance of an inverted pendulum model directly applied to normal human gait.

BACKGROUND: In clinical gait analysis, we strive to understand contributions to body support and propulsion as this forms a basis for treatment selection, yet the relative importance of gravitational forces and joint powers can be controversial even for normal gait. We hypothesized that an inverted pendulum model, propelled only by gravity, would be inadequate to predict velocities and ground reaction forces during gait. METHODS: Unlike previous ballistic and passive dynamic walking studies, we directly compared model predictions to gait data for 24 normal children. We defined an inverted pendulum from the average center-of-pressure to the instantaneous center-of-mass, and derived equations of motion during single support that allowed a telescoping action. Forward and inverse dynamics predicted pendulum velocities and ground reaction forces, and these were statistically and graphically compared to actual gait data for identical strides. FINDINGS: Results of forward dynamics replicated those in the literature, with reasonable predictions for velocities and anterior ground reaction forces, but poor predictions for vertical ground reaction forces. Deviations from actual values were explained by joint powers calculated for these subjects. With a telescoping action during inverse dynamics, predicted vertical forces improved dramatically and gained a dual-peak pattern previously missing in the literature, yet expected for normal gait. These improvements vanished when telescoping terms were set to zero. INTERPRETATION: Because this telescoping action is difficult to explain without muscle activity, we believe these results support the need for both gravitational forces and joint powers in normal gait. Our approach also begins to quantify the relative contributions of each.