INTRODUCTION: A long-term effect of chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency is development of degenerative changes in the knee [1]. Andriacchi et al. [2] noted cartilage homeostasis would not be maintained by abnormal kinematics after ACL rupture and cartilage degeneration would initiate. However, no study to date has compared kinematics between ACL deficient knees and primary osteo...

BACKGROUND Landings in fatigue conditions are considered to be one of the factors that cause noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Additionally, it is known that fatigue alters lower extremity landing strategies and decreases the ability to attenuate shock during landing. PURPOSE To determine characteristics of knee kinematics and shock attenuation during the landing phase of a ...

The mechanics of the knee are complex and dependent on the shape of the articular surfaces and their relative alignment. Insight into how anatomy relates to kinematics can establish biomechanical norms, support the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies (e.g., patellar maltracking) and inform implant design. Prior studies have used correlations to identify anatomical measures related to...

Ergogenic aids have been used to alter joint kinematics in an attempt to minimise injury risk, yet the effectiveness of these aids may be compromised following a bout of exercise. This preliminary study aimed to measure the effect of compression garments and Kinesio Tape® on lower extremity joint alignment prior to and following an exercise bout. Eight male athletes (age = 24.1 ± 3.0 years, bod...

BACKGROUND Although current techniques of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may successfully stabilize the posterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee, no studies have demonstrated restoration of intact-knee kinematics. HYPOTHESIS Posterior cruciate ligament transplantation will successfully restore posterior stability and kinematics to the posterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee. ...

Extended use of knee sleeves in populations at risk for knee osteoarthritis progression has shown functional and quality of life benefits; however, additional comprehensive kinematic and kinetic analyses are needed to determine possible physical mechanisms of these benefits which may be due to the sleeve's ability to enhance knee proprioception. A novel means of extending these enhancements may...

STUDY DESIGN Single-group, repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVE To compare patellofemoral joint kinematics during weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing knee extension in persons with lateral subluxation of the patella. BACKGROUND The only previous study to quantify differences in patellofemoral joint kinematics during weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing tasks was limited in that static loa...

OBJECTIVE To compare knee kinematics and kinetics during walking in patients with posttraumatic versus nontraumatic medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Participants with medial compartment knee OA were classified as nontraumatic (n = 122) or posttraumatic (n = 93) based on evidence of previous anterior cruciate ligament tear, confirmed arthroscopically. Kellgren/Lawrence seve...

Healthy knee kinematics during dynamic full flexion were evaluated using 3D-to-2D model registration techniques. Continuous knee motions were recorded during full flexion in a lunge from 85° to 150°. Medial and lateral tibiofemoral contacts and femoral internal-external and varus-valgus rotations were analyzed as a function of knee flexion angle. The medial tibiofemoral contact translated anter...

The single leg squat and single leg step down are two commonly used functional tasks to assess movement patterns. It is unknown how kinematics compare between these tasks. The purpose of this study was to identify kinematic differences in the lower extremity, pelvis and trunk between the single leg squat and the step down. Fourteen healthy individuals participated in this research and performed...