Accuracy of Measuring In-Vivo Syndesmosis Joint Kinematics During Level Gait

Description

In this engaging talk, David Williams discusses his research on the accuracy of a biplane X-ray system in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, focusing on the syndesmosis joint, specifically the distal tibiofibular joint, which plays a crucial role in ankle stability. He explains the implications of ligament damage on joint function, which could lead to conditions like osteoarthritis, and stresses the need to understand healthy joint kinematics for evaluating treatment efficacies.



Williams outlines the challenges of accurately measuring joint movement due to anatomical complexities and highlights the limitations of traditional motion capture methods. To address this, his team has developed an advanced biplane video X-ray system integrated with MRI for precise bone measurement. The accuracy of this innovative technique is currently being investigated, with expected movement ranges defined for the fibula and tibia.



He describes the research methodology, which involved a volunteer with previously implanted tantalum beads for precise tracking and measurement, and explains the bespoke X-ray system capable of capturing high-frequency images during gait analysis. The collected data undergoes a rigorous analysis pipeline to produce 3D bone models and their registration to 2D X-rays for accuracy comparison.



Williams presents findings on the accuracy of tibia and fibula measurements, using Bland-Altman comparisons and violin plots to convey data distributions comprehensively. Despite some limitations in measuring fibular rotation, he expresses confidence in the results, emphasizing the system's potential for accurately assessing the syndesmosis joint. Looking ahead, he hopes to establish a better understanding of healthy joint kinematics with ongoing studies involving additional volunteers to inform future patient treatments. The presentation concludes with an invitation for questions, showcasing Williams' enthusiasm and dedication to advancing orthopedic research.

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