Tweet
The effect of loading and alignment on joint structures during functional activities and exercises in knee patients and healthy subjects.
PhD Research
Location: Schools of Engineering and Healthcare Studies
Duration: 3 Years
Closing date for applications: 23/05/2011
Typically, during everyday functional activities, joints are exposed to a substantial amount of loading, which the anatomical structures are capable of withstanding. However, factors such as malalignment and injuries can disrupt this balance. Furthermore, surgery and rehabilitation aimed at restoring joint structure and function to enable a return to normal activities often do not adequately prevent patients from long term complications such as osteoarthritis.
In this study, participants from 3 knee patient groups and a healthy group will be investigated using movement analysis, electromyography (EMG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic fluoroscopy. They will carry out a number of weight-bearing activities. Using everyday movements and therapeutic adaptations of these movements, a range of loading situations will be studied to determine their effect on the knee. In particular, the role of different lower limb muscles will be a focus of interest. Details of 3D joint loading will be determined using musculoskeletal modelling based on movement analysis combined with EMG. Image analysis of MRI and fluoroscopy collected during different loading situations will be used to determine joint surface kinematics and the effect on distinct knee structures.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project carried out in collaboration between two biomechanics laboratories of the Schools of Engineering (Biomechanical Engineering) and Healthcare Studies (Physiotherapists and Clinical Kinaesiologists). It is intended to identify which movement strategies best control joint loading with or without the presence of knee pathology and to provide detailed insight into the mechanisms of dynamic joint stability. The results will help to inform and guide the scientific, clinical and industrial communities towards the development of surgical and rehabilitation interventions for degenerative joint disease. This project is ideally suited for a motivated student with specific interest in experimental and computational research involving 3D motion capture and dynamic analysis, imaging and musculoskeletal modelling.
Informal enquiries: Dr Cathy Holt (http://www.engin.cf.ac.uk/whoswho/pr...p?RecordNo=198), +44 (0)2920687687
and Dr Robert van Deursen (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/sohcs/conta...rview_new.html), +44 (0)29 20874533
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above, in an appropriate subject which provides a sound basis for applied biomechanics.
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum (2011). Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed.
This project is part of the recently funded Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html)
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and in Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic, and Rheumatology settings.
Apply online to Prof Vic Duance, School of Biosciences:
Closing Date: 23/05/2011
PhD Research
Location: Schools of Engineering and Healthcare Studies
Duration: 3 Years
Closing date for applications: 23/05/2011
Typically, during everyday functional activities, joints are exposed to a substantial amount of loading, which the anatomical structures are capable of withstanding. However, factors such as malalignment and injuries can disrupt this balance. Furthermore, surgery and rehabilitation aimed at restoring joint structure and function to enable a return to normal activities often do not adequately prevent patients from long term complications such as osteoarthritis.
In this study, participants from 3 knee patient groups and a healthy group will be investigated using movement analysis, electromyography (EMG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic fluoroscopy. They will carry out a number of weight-bearing activities. Using everyday movements and therapeutic adaptations of these movements, a range of loading situations will be studied to determine their effect on the knee. In particular, the role of different lower limb muscles will be a focus of interest. Details of 3D joint loading will be determined using musculoskeletal modelling based on movement analysis combined with EMG. Image analysis of MRI and fluoroscopy collected during different loading situations will be used to determine joint surface kinematics and the effect on distinct knee structures.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project carried out in collaboration between two biomechanics laboratories of the Schools of Engineering (Biomechanical Engineering) and Healthcare Studies (Physiotherapists and Clinical Kinaesiologists). It is intended to identify which movement strategies best control joint loading with or without the presence of knee pathology and to provide detailed insight into the mechanisms of dynamic joint stability. The results will help to inform and guide the scientific, clinical and industrial communities towards the development of surgical and rehabilitation interventions for degenerative joint disease. This project is ideally suited for a motivated student with specific interest in experimental and computational research involving 3D motion capture and dynamic analysis, imaging and musculoskeletal modelling.
Informal enquiries: Dr Cathy Holt (http://www.engin.cf.ac.uk/whoswho/pr...p?RecordNo=198), +44 (0)2920687687
and Dr Robert van Deursen (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/sohcs/conta...rview_new.html), +44 (0)29 20874533
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above, in an appropriate subject which provides a sound basis for applied biomechanics.
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum (2011). Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed.
This project is part of the recently funded Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html)
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and in Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic, and Rheumatology settings.
Apply online to Prof Vic Duance, School of Biosciences:
Closing Date: 23/05/2011