Pathomechanical Etiology of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Sponsor: Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
Bristol-Myers/Squibb Zimmer Orthopaedic Surgery Career Development Award
Todd O. McKinley, M.D.
Assistant
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
The
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
e-mail: Todd-McKinley@uiowa.edu
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Name |
Organization |
Role on Project |
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M. James Rudert, Ph.D. |
University of Iowa
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Co-Investigator |
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Thomas D. Brown, Ph.D. |
University of Iowa |
Co-Investigator |
Intraarticular fractures disrupt bone, cartilage, and supporting ligaments, initiating a cascade of events that can culminate in post-traumatic arthritis. It is reasonable to assume that mechanical factors directly related to intraarticular fractures are major determinants in the destructive changes, however, the mechanical link between intraarticular fractures and post-traumatic arthritis is poorly understood. The ankle, while having an extremely low incidence of primary osteoarthritis, has a significant incidence of post-traumatic arthritis making it a particularly good joint to investigate the pathomechanical etiology of post-traumatic arthritis. This experiment is designed to investigate the mechanical effects of simulated intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia. We are specifically measuring changes in dynamic contact stress and changes in ankle joint kinematics in simulated distal tibial plafond injuries. We will measure dynamic contact pressure, rotational motion, and translational motion in intact specimens, following simulated fractures of the distal tibia, and after repair of the fractures.