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Background: Abnormal gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may contribute to development and/or progression of knee osteoarthritis.Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of knee kinematics and joint moments during walking after ACLR.Methods: We searched seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant papers, for cross-sectional, human-based observational studies comparing knee joint kinematics and moments during level walking in individuals with ACLR, with the uninjured contralateral knee or healthy individuals as a control. Two independent reviewers appraised methodological quality (modified Downs and Black scale). Where possible, data were pooled by time post-ACLR (RevMan), otherwise narrative synthesis was undertaken.Results: Thirty-four studies were included. Meta-analysis revealed significant sagittal plane deficits in ACLR knees. We found greater knee flexion angles (standardised mean difference: 1.06; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.74) and joint moments (1.61; 0.87 to 2.35) <6 months post-ACLR, compared to healthy controls. However, lower peak knee flexion angles were identified 1-3 years (-2.21; -3.16 to -1.26) and ≥3 years post-ACLR (-1.38, -2.14 to -0.62), and lower knee flexion moment 6-12 months post-ACLR (-0.76; -1.40 to -0.12). Pooled data provided strong evidence of no difference in peak knee adduction moment >3 years after ACLR (vs healthy controls) (0.09; -0.63 to 0.81). No transverse plane conclusions could be drawn.Conclusions: Sagittal plane biomechanics, rather than the knee adduction moment, appear to be more relevant post-ACLR. Better understanding of sagittal plane biomechanics is necessary for optimal post-operative recovery, and to potentially prevent early onset and progression of knee OA after ACLR.Trial Registration Number: PROSPERO systematic review protocol registration number CRD4201400882 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared four methods of metacarpal shaft fixation: 2.2 mm intramedullary headless compression screw; 3.0 mm intramedullary headless compression screw; intramedullary K-wire fixation; and dorsal plate fixation. Transverse mid-diaphyseal fractures were created in 64 metacarpal sawbones and were assigned into four groups. Peak load to failure and stiffness were measured in cantilever bending and torsion. We found that dorsal plating had the highest peak load to failure. However, initial bending stiffness of the 3.0 mm intramedullary headless compression screw was higher than that of the dorsal plates. In torsion testing, dorsal plating had the highest peak torque, but there was no significant difference in torsional stiffness between the plate and intramedullary headless compression screw constructs. We concluded that intramedullary headless compression screw fixation is biomechanically superior to K-wires in cantilever bending and torsion; however, it is less stable than dorsal plating. In our study, the initial stability provided by K-wire fixation was sufficient to cope with expected loads in the early rehabilitation period, whereas dorsal plates and IHCS constructs provided stability far in excess of what is required.

The purpose of this study was to define the normal thumb carpometacarpal joint kinematics in-vivo during opposition and abduction using four-dimensional computed-tomography in four volunteers. Movement of the metacarpal relative to the trapezium was quantified using both Euler and helical axis representations. Articular surface contact patterns were also analysed. The overall axis of rotation for the movement of opposition and abduction passes through the trapezium and the base of the proximal phalanx, respectively. An abrupt change in instantaneous axis of rotation at terminal opposition was found. Ligament modelling shows dorsoradial ligament becomes tauter towards terminal opposition, whereas anterior oblique ligament becomes more slack. These results support the existence of the 'screw-home' pivot at terminal opposition and the importance of the dorsoradial ligament for stability in this position. The normal reference set in this study can help establish a diagnostic tool for subtle carpometacarpal instability, or for evaluating efficacy of surgery.

The aim of this study was twofold. Firstly, to develop a multiple regression normalization (MR) strategy to decorrelate physical properties and walking speed from spatiotemporal gait data in healthy children; and secondly, to use this MR approach to identify the effect of a solid ankle foot orthosis (AFO) on gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Spatiotemporal gait data during self-selected walking were obtained from 51 children with diplegic CP and 34 aged-matched healthy controls. Data were normalized using standard dimensionless equations (DS) and a MR approach. Stride length, stance time, swing time, and double support time were significantly different between children with CP and healthy controls using DS (p<;0.05); however, only stride length and swing time were significantly different when children with CP walked with and without an AFO. Normalizing gait data using DS demonstrated significant differences in cadence and step time in children with CP when wearing an AFO compared to the controls (p<;0.05). In contrast, MR normalization revealed significant differences in all spatiotemporal parameters between children with CP with and without an AFO, except double support time. After MR normalization, spatiotemporal parameters in children wearing an AFO became closer to those of the controls, except for double support time. The MR approach presented will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of conservative interventions such as AFOs in children with CP, as well as in surgery, and may be useful in gait classification using machine learning.