Three-Dimensional Kinematics of Rat Hindlimb in Response to Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Treatments
Author(s)
Watermeier, Rachel
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slowly progressing and debilitating degradation of articular cartilage of the joints, affecting over 5.6 million people in the United States alone. 10-12% of OA cases are post-traumatic in which cartilage degeneration results from an acute joint injury. Using a rat model, this study aimed to quantify the three-dimensional joint kinematics of the hindlimb following induced post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and either a weight loading or weight unloading treatment. Rats underwent medial meniscus transection on one knee and were prescribed either a suspension treatment (to simulate weight unloading) or a wheel run treatment (to simulate weight unloading) as OA developed for 8 weeks after the injury. A biplanar x-ray system in conjunction with joint tracking software was used to quantify 3D joint angles, duty factor, and range of motion in the hips, knees, and ankles of both hindlimbs before and after respective treatment. The results indicate that wheel run treatment alters 3D kinematics primarily in the ankle. Range of motion was reduced substantially in only the hip and ankle, leaving the knee either unaffected or with an increased range of motion. Further, duty factor was not changed substantially. In contrast, suspension treatment resulted in 3D kinematics changes in both the ankle and the knee. Range of motion was reduced substantially in the ankle and in knee internal/external rotation yet increased in knee abduction/adduction, inducing a varus in the knees. Finally, duty factor increased substantially in both limbs, potentially indicating an imbalance-wary gait. These findings contribute to the clinical slowing of PTOA, ultimately reducing pain, improving mobility, and cultivating a better quality of life in patients.
Sponsor
Date
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Undergraduate Research Option Thesis