Muscle parameters estimation based on biplanar radiography

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2016 Nov;19(15):1592-8. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2016.1171855. Epub 2016 Apr 15.

Abstract

The evaluation of muscle and joint forces in vivo is still a challenge. Musculo-Skeletal (musculo-skeletal) models are used to compute forces based on movement analysis. Most of them are built from a scaled-generic model based on cadaver measurements, which provides a low level of personalization, or from Magnetic Resonance Images, which provide a personalized model in lying position. This study proposed an original two steps method to access a subject-specific musculo-skeletal model in 30 min, which is based solely on biplanar X-Rays. First, the subject-specific 3D geometry of bones and skin envelopes were reconstructed from biplanar X-Rays radiography. Then, 2200 corresponding control points were identified between a reference model and the subject-specific X-Rays model. Finally, the shape of 21 lower limb muscles was estimated using a non-linear transformation between the control points in order to fit the muscle shape of the reference model to the X-Rays model. Twelfth musculo-skeletal models were reconstructed and compared to their reference. The muscle volume was not accurately estimated with a standard deviation (SD) ranging from 10 to 68%. However, this method provided an accurate estimation the muscle line of action with a SD of the length difference lower than 2% and a positioning error lower than 20 mm. The moment arm was also well estimated with SD lower than 15% for most muscle, which was significantly better than scaled-generic model for most muscle. This method open the way to a quick modeling method for gait analysis based on biplanar radiography.

Keywords: Stereoradiography; gait analysis; lower limb; muscle.

MeSH terms

  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / physiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Movement
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Posture
  • Radiography / methods*