Development of a surrogate biomodel for the investigation of clubfoot bracing

Andrew J DiMeo Sr; David S Lalush; Edward Grant; Jose A Morcuende

doi:10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182571656

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Development of a surrogate biomodel for the investigation of clubfoot bracing

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Development of a surrogate biomodel for the investigation of clubfoot bracing

Andrew J DiMeo Sr, David S Lalush, Edward Grant and Jose A Morcuende

Journal of pediatric orthopaedics, Vol.32(7), pp.e47-e52

10/2012

DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182571656

PMID: 22955544

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Abstract

Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) is a complex deformity of the lower extremity and foot occurring in 1/1000 live births. Regardless of treatment, whether conservative or surgical, clubfoot has a stubborn tendency to relapse, thus requiring postcorrection bracing. However, to date, there are no investigations specifically focused on clubfoot bracing from a bioengineering perspective. This study applied engineering principles to clubfoot bracing through construction of a surrogate biomodel. The surrogate was developed to represent an average 5-year-old human subject capable of biomechanical characteristics including joint articulation and kinematics. The components include skeleton, articulating joints, muscle-tendon systems, and ligaments. A protocol was developed to measure muscle-tendon tension in resting and braced positions of the surrogate. Measurement error ranged from 1% to 6% and was considered variance due to brace and investigator. In conclusion, this study shows that surrogate biomodeling is an accurate and repeatable method to investigate clubfoot bracing. The methodology is an effective means to evaluate wide ranging brace options and can be used to assist in future brace development and the tuning of brace parameters. Such patient-specific brace tuning may also lead to advanced braces that increase compliance.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Clubfoot - rehabilitation

Braces

Humans

Child, Preschool

Secondary Prevention

Bioengineering - methods

Models, Anatomic

Details

Title: Subtitle: Development of a surrogate biomodel for the investigation of clubfoot bracing
Creators: Andrew J DiMeo Sr - Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. ajdimeo@ncsu.edu
David S Lalush
Edward Grant
Jose A Morcuende
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of pediatric orthopaedics, Vol.32(7), pp.e47-e52
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182571656
PMID: 22955544
ISSN: 0271-6798
eISSN: 1539-2570
Language: English
Date published: 10/2012
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9984040448602771

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