Effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint: a biomechanical study
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(2019) 14:44
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint: a biomechanical study Duraisamy Shriram1, Go Yamako2, Etsuo Chosa3, Yee Han Dave Lee4 and Karupppasamy Subburaj1*
Abstract Background: Patients undergoing total or partial arthroscopic meniscectomy for treating traumatic meniscal tears are at greater risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to increased mechanical load. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint during the gait cycle. Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model of the knee joint was developed using the substructures segmented from magnetic resonance images. Experimentally measured forces and moments for one complete gait cycle, without brace and with brace at three different alignment angles (0°, 4°, and 8°), were applied to the finite element model, and the changes in the tibiofemoral contact mechanics were estimated. Results: The brace in 0°/4°/8° valgus alignment modes reduced the total contact force in the medial compartment by 16%/46%/82% at opposite toe off and 18%/17%/29% at opposite initial contact events, while it increased the total contact force in the lateral compartment by 31%/81%/110% at opposite toe off and 30%/38%/45% at opposite initial contact events, respectively, when compared to the unbraced meniscectomized knee. Conclusions: Increasing the valgus alignment from 0° to 4° and 8° resulted in a greater reduction of contact conditions (total contact force, total contact area, peak contact pressure) in the medial compartment and vice versa in the lateral compartment. This decrease in contact conditions in the medial compartment infers enhanced knee joint function due to a valgus unloader brace, which translates to increased knee-related confidence. Results suggest choosing a higher valgus alignment angle could potentially increase the risk for the onset of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment, and this computational model could be used in validating the effectiveness of braces on joint health. Keywords: MRI, Gait analysis, Finite element analysis, Meniscectomy, Osteoarthritis, Arthroscopy, Unloader brace
Introduction Traumatic meniscal injuries are common in young athletes, especially those who are associated with contact sports that entail frequent pivoting [1]. The treatment options vary depending on the anatomical location and extent of the injury [1]. Typical surgical procedure to treat the meniscal injury is arthroscopic meniscectomy. Arthroscopic total or partial meniscectomy is one of the primary risk factors for new onset and/or progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) [2]. Even though the benefits of * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
arthroscopic meniscectomy are debatable [3], a large num
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