• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• 제15권4호
• /
• pp.429-438
• /
• 1994

An electrical stimulator was designed to induce locomotion for paraplegic patients caused by central nervous system injury. Optimal stimulus parameters, which can minimize muscle fatigue and can achieve effective muscle contraction were determined in slow and fast muscles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulus patterns of our stimulator were designed to simulate eleclromyographic activity monitored during locomotion of normal subjects. Muscle types of the lower extremity were classified according to their mechanical property of contraction, which are slow muscle (msoleus m.) and fast muscle (medial gastrocnemius m., rectus femoris m., vastus lateralis m.). Optimal parameters of electrical stimulation for slow muscles were 20 Hz, 0.2 ms square pulse. For fast muscle, 40 Hz, 0.3 ms square pulse was optimal to produce repeated contraction. Higher'stimulus intensity was required when synergistic muscles were stimulated simultaneously than when they were stimulated individually. Electrical stimulation for each muscle was designed to generate bipedal locomotion, so that individual muscles alternate contraction and relaxation to simulate stance and swing phases. Portable electrical stimulator with 16 channels built in microprocessor was constructed and applied to paraplegic patients due to lumbar cord injury. The electrical slimulator restored partially gait function in paraplegic patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.8-15
• /
• 2018

Ankle osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that causes severe pain associated with functional impairment and decreased activity. Ankle osteoarthritis, unlike that of the knee or hip joint, is rare in primary arthritis. Most cases are traumatic arthritis that occur after ankle sprain or fractures or chronic ankle instability. Although ankle fusion has been regarded as the standard treatment of ankle osteoarthritis in the past, total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is increasing due to the development of the implant design and surgical techniques. TAA is biomechanically superior to ankle fusion by preserving the movement of the ankle joint. In particular, it is functionally superior to ankle fusion because it enables normal joint motion during gait. In addition, there is an advantage of preserving the movement of the hindfoot and reducing the abnormal stress applied to the adjacent joints after ankle fusion to prevent the occurrence of long-term adjacent joint arthritis. Although the short-term and mid-term results of TAA have been reported to be excellent, long-term follow-up has a relatively low survival rate and high complication rate compared to total knee or hip arthroplasty. Therefore, continuous and further research is needed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences of the mechanical efficiency on the characteristics of the basketball wheelchairs(cambers & size of the handrims). Nine healthy and normal wheelchair basketball players who had no impairments to their upper extremities were volunteered to participate in this study. $VO_2$ was collected using automatic gas analyzer(vmax29). Gross efficiency, net efficiency and work efficiency were analyzed from the calculated external power output and energy expenditure. The results were followed. First, gross efficiency in the basketball wheelchairs was observed across the range from 4 to 10%. Gross efficiency in this study showed less values than that from the literature reviewed in the arm cranking(15%), racing wheelchair(above 30%), gait(27%) and cycling(18-23%). Second, the small size of handrim(61cm) at the 16 degrees of camber produced higher efficiency values than the large size of handrim(66cm) whereas the different sizes of handrim at the 20 degrees of camber did not show any pattern. Third, both faster speed($1.11^m/s{\rightarrow}1.39^m/s$) and increases in treadmill inclination produced increases in energy expenditure. The results of this study may provide not only better understanding of the mechanical efficiency with adequate camber degree and proper size of handrim but also fundamental information for manufacturing the wheelchair.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• 제24권3호
• /
• pp.342-344
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to report the signalment, history, and outcome of modified retinacular imbrication technique (MRIT) for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in dogs. Nine dogs (12 stifles) presented with chronic hindlimb lameness associated with CCLR. They were 7 males and 2 females. Six were Yorkshire terriers. Mean age was 8 years (range,2 to 14 years), and mean weight was 5.6kg (range, $1.8{\sim}19kg$). Three dogs had bilateral CCLR and six dogs had unilateral CCLR (2 left stifles and 4 right stifles). Nine stifles (8 dogs) had concomitant patellar medial luxation. Surgery was performed in eight stifles (5 dogs) and recovery rate of 100%. Three stifles (2 dogs) were underwent simultaneously femoral trochleoplasty. Mean time to the normal gait after surgery was 30 days. There were not postoperative complications.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• 제20권5호
• /
• pp.587-592
• /
• 1999

압력측정시스템은 입각기동안 동적압력분포를 성공적으로 측정할 수 있으나 하중수용기-중간입각기, 말기입각기-전유각기의 전환기들에 대해서는 운동분석시스템을 사용하지않고는 정확한 정의가 불가능하다. 따라서 저자들은 수평자유보행 시 압력중심의 이동을 이해하기 위해서 정상적인 발을 가진 20-30대 성인남자 78명을 대상으로 동작분석과발바닥 압력측정을 동시에 수행하였다. 결과로 하중반응기-중간입각기 전환시기의 발바닥 압력중심점은 후족부와 중족부의 경계선에서 앞쪽으로 1.9$\pm$1.5frame(32$\pm$24msec)에 위치하였으며 말기입각기-전유각기 전환시기에는 중족골두 최대 압력점의 앞쪽으로 2.3$\pm$2.0 frame(38$\pm$33msec)에 위치하였다. 정상수평보행에 있어서 최초접지 순간 압력중심은 전방으로 빠르게 이동하다가 바로 급속히 감소하여 하중반응기-중간입각기의 전환시기에는 작은 속도로 이동하였다. 압력중심의 이동속도는 그 후 다시 서서히 증가하다가 전체 보행주기의 25% 전후에서 서서히 감소하여 비교적 일정하다가 말기입각기-전유각기의 전환시점에서 다시 급격한 증가를 보였다. 족부질환과 보행특성을 판단하는데 있어서 압력중심의 이동궤적은 매우 유용한 인자가 될 것으로 기대된다. 본 연구를 통해서 압력측정시스템만으로는 정의할 수 없었던 두 전환기인 하중반응기-중간입각기, 말기입각기-전유각기를 결정할 수있게 되었다.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• 제60권4호
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2020

Two small-breed dogs and two cats, with an average body weight of 4.88 kg (range: 4.3-5.5 kg), suffered hindlimb lameness due to luxation with or without fractures of the tarsocrural joint. These patients underwent tarsocrural arthrodesis with epoxy putty external skeletal fixator. The animals' skins were incised minimally, and the articular cartilage of the tarsocrural joint was removed, followed by autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Epoxy putty and positive Centerface®, pins with diameters 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm, were used for connecting bar and as a full pin fixation, respectively. All the patients regained the ability to bear weight on the affected limb within 3-7 days and resumed a normal gait within 9-15 weeks. The external skeletal fixator frame was removed within 13-17 weeks without major complications. Tarsocrural arthrodesis using epoxy putty external skeletal fixator resulted in excellent outcomes without severe postoperative complications in this study. Epoxy putty external skeletal fixator can be a valuable surgical option for tarsocrural arthrodesis in patients weighing less than 5.5 kg.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• 제37권6호
• /
• pp.297-300
• /
• 2020

Lameness is a variation of normal gait in an animal, and it means that one or more limbs cannot be used correctly to allow the animal to walk. In the usual context, the incidence of hindlimb lameness in dogs is most likely the result of trauma, joint diseases, and/or congenital diseases. Generally speaking, the factors influencing hindlimb lameness include the animal's specific breed, size, weight, and whether it engages in frequent or strenuous activities. Many studies have investigated the incidence of lameness of large breed dogs, as compared to small breed dogs. Considering that many domestic dogs are small breeds, the lameness of small breed dogs with a high population in Korea was evaluated. The major causes of hindlimb lameness were found to be joint, musculoskeletal, and neurological abnormalities and the most were identified as joint diseases. Among the joint diseases, it was noted that a patellar luxation was the most common, of which the grade 3 medial patellar luxation was the highest rated type of joint disease noted.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of abdominal brace techniques on muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities when walking. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: This study was conducted on 26 healthy adults in their 20s, and the subjects performed two conditions in random order: walking with the abdominal bracing technique and walking in an abdominal relaxation state (normal gait). Muscle activity was measured on the dominant side of all subjects using surface electromyography, and the attachment sites were the erector spinae, external oblique, internal oblique, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis oblique muscles. Each condition was measured three times to calculate and analyze the average value. Results: When walking using the abdominal brace technique, the muscle activity of the erector spinae, external oblique, internal oblique, and vastus lateralis increased significantly (p<0.05), and the muscle activity of the vastus medialis increased as well but was not significant. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that it is possible to be used as an effective guide to increasing the muscle activity and stability of the trunk and lower extremities through the application of the abdominal bracing technique during walking.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.38-43
• /
• 2022

A 5-month-old Holstein downer calf was presented, and bovine viral diarrhea virus was detected in the feces and the cerebrospinal fluid. Combined treatment of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) administration and standing rehabilitation had been performed for two months, and the calf could maintain the standing position for a while. However, the symptoms were not improved, and the calf died due to ruminal tympany and aspiration pneumonia. Megaesophagus, abomasal ulcer, and a normal-sized but softened cerebellum were observed in clinical necropsy. Improvement of symptoms was confirmed by rBST, but was not reached the complete recovery of gait and standing position.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• 제25권1호
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of 2D(2 dimensional form) & 3D(3 dimensional form; a customized arch-fit for posture correction) insoles for assessing their biomechanical functionality. Background : Recently there has been increased interest in both foot health and foot pain patients. Analysis of the plantar pressure was often used to solve the problems of the foot displayed by such people as rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method : Subjects who participated in this study were 17 female university students who had no previous injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The shoe size of all subjects was 240 mm. Two models of insoles of 2D(typical flat insole - 2 dimensional form) and 3D(special production - 3 dimensional form) were selected for the test. Using the Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 4.0 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 50 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Results : Results of the foot-pressure distribution and biomechanical functionality on each insole were as follows; analyses of mean plantar pressure, maximum plantar pressure, maximum vertical GRF, and plantar pressure curve shape all showed overall low plantar pressure and GRF. Conclusion : This can be evaluated as an excellent insole for low levels on the plantar pressure and GRF. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that according to this analysis the 3D Customized Arch-fit Insole was better than 2D insole on the basis of these criteria.