Scientists at Clemson University (Clemson, SC) have designed and built a knee simulator on which specimens from cadavers can be mounted to study the effects of different unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) alignment and ligament configurations on movement, as well as contact pressure distributions on the knee. They say that a better understanding of UKA failures could help improve implant designs, surgical techniques, and patient selection criteria.
The machine allows the researchers to very accurately measure internal loadings or contact pressures. In addition, the researchers use a motion-tracking system enabling 3-D position tracking of knee movement during the simulation. They can then measure the contact pressure and area of the articulating surfaces using paper-thin film pressure sensors that can be inserted between the knee joint.
