Currently, there exists a need for a more thorough understanding of native hip joint kinematics to improve the understanding of pathological conditions, injury mechanisms, and surgical interventions. A biomechanical testing system able to accomplish multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) movements is required to study the complex articulation of the hip joint. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the repeatability and comparative accuracy of a 6 DOF robotic system as a testing platform for range of motion in vitro hip biomechanical analysis. Intact human cadaveric pelvises, complete with full femurs, were prepared, and a coordinate measuring machine collected measurements of pertinent femoral and pelvic bony landmarks used to define the anatomic hip axes. Passive exion/extension path and simulated clinical exam kinematics were recorded using a 6 DOF robotic system.
The results of this study demonstrate that the 6 DOF robotic system was able to identify hip passive paths in a highly repeatable manner, and the robotically simulated clinical exams were consistent and repeatable in determining hip ranges of motion. Thus, a 6 DOF robotic system is a valuable and effective tool for range of motion in vitro hip biomechanical analysis.
Validation of a Six Degree-of-Freedom Robotic System for Hip in vitro Biomechanical Testing
