A mechanical jig for measuring ankle supination and pronation torque in vitro and in vivo

• Published in: Medical engineering & physics Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 791 - 794
• Main Authors: Fong, Daniel Tik-Pui, Chung, Mandy Man-Ling, Chan, Yue-Yan, Chan, Kai-Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle - physiology; Ankle sprain; Ankle torque measurement; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Inversion injury; Male; Medical sciences; Peroneal muscle; Pronation; Radiology; Rotation; Supination; Torque; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Biomechanics; Ankle torque measurement; Ankle sprain; Inversion injury; Peroneal muscle; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Trauma; In vitro; Ankle; Sprain; In vivo; Ankle joint; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 1350-4533; 1873-4030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2012.03.004

Abstract This study presents the design of a mechanical jig for evaluating the ankle joint torque on both cadaver and human ankles. Previous study showed that ankle sprain motion was a combination of plantarflexion and inversion. The device allows measurement of ankle supination and pronation torque with one simple axis in a single step motion. More importantly, the ankle orientation allows rotation starting from an anatomical position. Six cadaveric specimens and six human subjects were tested with simulated and voluntary rotation respectively. The presented mechanical jig makes possible the determination of supination torque for studying ankle sprain injury and the estimation of pronation torque for examining peroneal muscle response.