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A biomechanical analysis of the soft tissue and osseous constraints of the hip joint

  • Hip
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study was to determine the role of soft tissue and osseous constraints in hip biomechanics using a unique robotic testing apparatus.

Methods

Four fresh-frozen human cadaveric hemi-pelvises without degenerative changes or dysplasia were stripped of all soft tissue except the ligamentous capsule and the intra-articular structures. All hips were tested using a robotic manipulator/universal force-moment sensor testing system to measure and compare end-range of motion (ROM) and kinematic translations in “capsule vented” (a small hole in the capsule) and “capsule separated” (capsular ligaments separated from each other) states. Then, the “capsule vented” state was compared to the condition in which the capsule and labrum were removed to calculate bone and soft tissue forces with 40 N of load applied in six different directions along three axes.

Results

There were no significant differences in end-ROM or kinematic translations between the “capsule vented” and “capsule separated” states. Bone forces significantly increased with loads applied in the anterior, posterior and superior directions. Soft tissue forces increased significantly with loads applied in the medial, lateral and inferior directions.

Conclusion

The individual hip capsular ligaments act independently of each other to resist end-ROM. Both osseous and soft tissue constraints are important to hip biomechanics depending upon the direction of applied force. The clinical relevance is that surgical management for hip disorders should preserve the soft tissue constraints in the hip when possible to maintain normal hip biomechanics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the important contributions of BLINDED, BLINDED and BLINDED to this research study. This study was performed in the BLINDED.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Jon K. Sekiya is a consultant and receives royalties from OrthoDynamix, LLC and Arthrex, Inc. Ryan S. Costic was the research assistant at University of Pittsburgh at the time of the research project. He is now an employee at Smith and Nephew. The research was completed before he joined Smith and Nephew.

Ethical statement

Institutional ethical board review was not required for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 14532 S. Outer Forty Drive, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA

    Matthew V. Smith

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Engineering Lab, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Ryan S. Costic

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 Fifth Ave, Lilian S. Kaufmann Building, Suite 1011, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Robert Allaire

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Hospital, 2912 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5328, USA

    Peter L. Schilling

  5. MedSport, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, PO Box 0391, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106-0391, USA

    Jon K. Sekiya

Authors
  1. Matthew V. Smith
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  2. Ryan S. Costic
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  3. Robert Allaire
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  4. Peter L. Schilling
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  5. Jon K. Sekiya
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthew V. Smith.

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Smith, M.V., Costic, R.S., Allaire, R. et al. A biomechanical analysis of the soft tissue and osseous constraints of the hip joint. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 22, 946–952 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2255-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2255-4

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