Research

These research projects investigate innovative approaches to measuring hand and upper limb movement, providing new insights into musculoskeletal function and joint health.

Project: Investigating Wrist Loading and Injury in Football Players

Graduate Student: Riley Macleod & Jeffery Donado

American football players experience repeated impacts to the hands and wrists during practices and games, particularly during blocking and tackling. Despite the frequency of these impacts, relatively little is known about how the mechanical forces experienced during football contribute to changes in the tendons, ligaments and other structures of the wrist. Repeated loading may contribute to inflammation, changes in tendon structure, reduced mobility and other conditions that can affect wrist function both during an athlete's playing career and later in life.

The wrist is a complex joint containing multiple bones, ligaments and tendons that work together to provide stability and allow movement of the hand. Current imaging techniques can provide information about wrist anatomy, but there is limited research examining how the structures of the wrist adapt to the repetitive and high-force demands of American football.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the mechanical demands of football and changes in wrist structure and function. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging are used to examine the tendons and other structures of the wrist, including tendon thickness, cross-sectional area, blood flow and signs of tenosynovial thickening (inflammation around the tendon). Participants also undergo functional testing to assess grip and pinch strength, wrist mobility and joint stability. Game film is analyzed to determine the frequency of hand strikes experienced by different football positions.

Project: Force and Kinematic Analysis of Fatigue in Collegiate Baseball Players

Undergraduate Student: Aaron Austin

Despite improvements in injury prevention and workload monitoring over the past decade, arm injuries continue to be a significant concern for baseball pitchers at all levels. Pitching places substantial demands on the shoulder and upper extremity, and fatigue may contribute to changes in pitching mechanics that can increase the risk of injury. Previous research has often examined individual factors associated with injury risk, rather than investigating how fatigue affects multiple physical and mechanical systems at the same time.

This study uses force and kinematic analysis to investigate how fatigue affects strength and pitching mechanics throughout a simulated baseball game. Full-body pitching kinematics are captured using motion analysis, while ball velocity is recorded throughout the game. Shoulder strength, range of motion and pinch grip strength are also assessed following each inning. Participants are asked to report their perceived arm, leg and overall fatigue throughout the simulated game.

Six collegiate pitchers completed a simulated four-inning game consisting of 80 pitches. Although fastball velocity remained relatively consistent throughout the game, participants demonstrated decreases in isometric shoulder strength, including a 23.7% decrease in internal rotation and 23.0% decrease in scaption strength. These findings suggest that an athlete's perception of fatigue may not accurately reflect the physical and mechanical changes occurring during pitching. This is concerning because athletes may report low levels of fatigue while still experiencing physical and mechanical changes associated with increased injury risk.

Project: Quantifying Tendon Excursion in the Shoulder Using 3D Ultrasound

Graduate student: Marie Le

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a surgical procedure used to treat conditions such as rotator cuff deficiencies and joint degeneration. While RSA can improve shoulder function, some patients experience anterior shoulder pain following surgery. One potential cause is impingement of the conjoint tendon, which is located near the front of the shoulder. The risk of impingement may change depending on the distance between the tendon and surrounding bones and the position of the arm.

Current imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide detailed images of the shoulder but have limitations when assessing the joint during functional movements and are not always easily accessible. 3-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) provides an accessible, non-ionizing method for imaging both soft tissue and bony structures. The 3D ultrasound musculoskeletal imaging system developed in our lab captures a series of 2D ultrasound images as the transducer moves across the shoulder, allowing a 3D image of the anatomy to be reconstructed.

Five healthy participants underwent 3D ultrasound imaging while moving their shoulders through different positions of elevation, abduction, and rotation. Tendon-to-bone and bone-to-bone distances were measured in each position to establish healthy baseline values.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how the conjoint tendon moves relative to surrounding structures during functional shoulder movements. These measurements will provide a reference for future studies of patients who have undergone RSA and help improve understanding of shoulder biomechanics following surgery.

Graduate Student: Elizabeth Norman

Project: 3D Ultrasound to Investigate Effusion Synovitis in the Hand and Wrist

The wrist is a very complex joint with multiple articulations, muscles, tendons, and ligaments present that afford the wrist with its wide range of motion. Due to its complex nature wrist injuries are common and these injuries may result in impaired overall function of the joint. To treat these injuries an accurate biomechanical model is needed to target treatment strategies and obtain a thorough understanding of the healthy wrist motion. Kinematics can be used to characterize healthy wrist motion such as joint contribution and center of rotation (COR); these attributes are essential for proper identification of healthy wrist motion.

Ten healthy participants have been recruited to the Roth McFarlane | Hand and Upper Limb Centre where their wrists were scanned with the use of a four-dimensional computed tomography scanner (4DCT). This scanner allows us to capture three dimensional images over a period of time and thus the participants completed two ‘passes’ of motion from extreme extension to extreme flexion and the reverse in 8 second intervals. These scans gave us the ability to analyze the contribution of each joint throughout the motion with the use of instantaneous helical axes. In addition, the COR was also determined for all participants and with a 95% confidence interval a healthy range for COR was determined. This study has very important applications for basic biomechanics and will lead to better treatments as it describes the wrist in its native state.

Graduate Student: James Hunter

Project: 4DCT Analysis of Shoulder Kinematics and Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Project: 4DCT Analysis of Shoulder Motion and Stability

Graduate Student: Kylie Paliani

Project: Evaluating the Hand Forces of Golfers with and without Hand Arthritis

Graduate Student: Sara Holland

With diagnosed arthritis affecting 1 in 5 adults in Canada along with an increasingly aging population, playing sports such as golf becomes difficult. The grip of a golf club is the only contact point between the player and the club, making the player’s gripping force and the golf grip itself an important elements of the game. However, the golf grip is the most overlooked piece of equipment in a player’s bag.  Comprehensive examinations have not been done on current golf grips and a small amount of arthritis golf grips have recently been marketed but are not based on empirical measurements or been properly tested to determine their effectiveness at reducing joint pain in a players hands. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to systematically analyze the hand forces produced from various golf grips at the hand-grip interface in individuals with and without hand arthritis. 

The new wearable sensor technology system designed by Pressure Profile Systems known as the Finger Tactile Pressure Sensors (FingerTPS) system will be used to evaluate varying skill level golfers while performing a standard golf shot using a mid-iron club. This technology is the most accurate on today’s market using pressure sensitive foam and a micro spandex material allowing for a minimally intrusive solution to collect high-quality data at the distal phalanges of the fingers. Various types of golf grips will be tested from soft, medium to hard firmness in different diameter sizes ranging from undersized, standard, midsized, and jumbo size grips. This research will contribute to the lack of knowledge about the complex structure of the hand and provide a better understanding of the relationship between arthritis and sports in order to develop better equipment.

Project: 4D Ultrasound to Measure Ligament Behaviour in Thumb Osteoarthritis

Graduate Student: Randa Mudathir

The thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint relies heavily on surrounding ligaments to maintain stability. Changes in ligament integrity may contribute to joint instability and the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

Current imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and conventional ultrasound (US) have limitations when assessing how ligaments behave during movement. Four-dimensional ultrasound (4D US) combines 3-dimensional imaging with time, allowing soft-tissue structures to be visualized dynamically.

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a 4D US system capable of imaging the dorsoradial ligament (DRL) of the thumb during motion and measuring changes in its length. Five healthy volunteers and five patients with thumb OA underwent 4D US imaging during thumb abduction. The ultrasound measurements were also compared with 4D CT to validate the system.

The DRL was successfully visualized throughout motion, with the system demonstrating excellent intra-rater and good inter-rater reliability. This technology provides a non-invasive method for dynamically assessing ligament behaviour and may help improve our understanding of the role of ligament integrity in thumb CMC OA.

Project: 3D Ultrasound to Measure Synovial Blood Flow in Thumb Osteoarthritis

Graduate Student: Megan Hutter

Thumb osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that can cause pain and reduced hand function. Inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the joint, known as synovitis, is an important feature of OA and may contribute to disease progression. Changes in blood flow within the inflamed synovial tissue may provide additional information about the disease.

Ultrasound can visualize soft tissues and detect blood flow using Doppler imaging. This study uses a 3-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) system to capture the entire thumb joint and measure the volume of synovial tissue and blood flow within the joint.

Twenty patients with thumb CMC OA underwent 3D US imaging using Power Doppler and Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI). The amount of detectable synovial blood flow was compared with measures of joint inflammation, pain, and thumb function.

The study found differences in inflammation, pain, and function between patients with and without detectable synovial blood flow. Patients with synovial blood flow have higher volumes of inflammation, lower pain scores, and higher functional scores. These findings suggest that 3D US may provide a novel way to assess vascular changes within the joint and improve our understanding of thumb OA. Future work will investigate how these measures change over time and their potential for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.

These research projects examine the factors that influence musculoskeletal health, providing a deeper understanding of injury mechanisms and disease progression.

Project: Repeated 3D Ultrasound Evaluation of Synovial Inflammation in Thumb Osteoarthritis

Graduate Student: Clara Duquette-Evans

Thumb osteoarthritis (OA) can cause pain and reduced hand function, with synovial inflammation being an important feature of the disease. This study investigated whether 3D ultrasound could be used to measure and monitor changes in synovial tissue volume over time.

Thirty-six patients with thumb CMC OA underwent 3D ultrasound imaging 2–3 times over one year. Synovial tissue volume was measured from the images, along with pinch grip strength and patient-reported pain and function. Three recurring patterns of synovial inflammation were also identified based on their location and shape within the joint.

The study found high reliability in measuring synovial tissue volume (ICC = 0.98), with a minimal detectable change of 13.80 mm³. There was substantial variability in inflammation both between patients and across repeated measurements. These findings suggest that 3D ultrasound provides a reliable method for monitoring synovial inflammation and may help identify different patterns of OA progression.

Project: 3DUS to Monitor Synovitis in Patients with CMC OA

Graduate Student: Carla Du Toit 

The 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is a very common site for osteoarthritis, affecting approximately 11% and 30% of middle aged (50-60 years old) men and women world-wide. 1st CMC osteoarthritis (CMC OA) can lead to weakness, laxity of the joint, pain, disability and ultimately loss of quality of life. The current practice for diagnosing 1st CMC OA is plain x-ray radiographs and a clinical examination, which includes patient history, examination of patient symptoms and stress tests such as the grind and distraction tests. For these tests, a positive result is an indicator for the presence of synovitis (swelling) in the joint.

CMC OA is traditionally imaged using radiographs, which present several limitations when examining joint structures. The most relevant limitation for CMC OA is the inability to discriminate between soft tissue pathologies (abnormal changes) which can contribute to symptoms experienced by patients such as pain.

3-dimensional ultrasound (3-D US) is a medical imaging modality that utilizes high frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of internal anatomical structures. 3-D US may provide a fast and efficient method from overcoming the limitations presented by current diagnostic practices and play a role detecting sources of pain and disability in CMC OA patients. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a 3-D US device for CMC OA patients, which can accurately and precisely measure synovial tissue volume to monitor synovitis (swelling) of the CMC joint.

Patients who are currently being treated at the Roth McFarlane| Hand and Upper Limb Centre for 1st CMC pain will be recruited for this study. The participants will undergo bilateral imaging of their hand and wrist using 2-D US, 3-D US and some patients will be chosen for magnetic resonance imaging. Patients will also be asked to complete an AUSCAN questionnaire, a visual analogue scale questionnaire and a series of pinch grip tests to determine patient perceived pain and disability.

Project: 4DCT to Examine Scapholunate Ligament Injuries

Graduate Student: Sydeny Robinson

Traumatic injury of the scapholunate ligament can lead to long-term pathologies, such as scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC), which is a form of degenerative arthritis. Symptoms of SLAC include pain and abnormalities of bone movement, without external markers. Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) is able to capture the abnormal bony movements that are otherwise missed with current imaging procedures. Current diagnostic tools are limited to radiographs, the shift test [2], and the Terry Thomas sign [3]. Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) can be used to accurately diagnose SLAC by illuminating features in bone movements during functional tasks. Early and accurate detection is the key to proper treatment and preventing further joint degeneration. The purpose of this study is to develop a wrist positioning device for scapholunate injury, which can apply functional loads and simulate activities of daily living (ADL), and to use 4DCT to determine how scapholunate instability leads to progressive joint degeneration.

A series of participants (n=30, male: 15) who are currently being seen at the Roth McFarlane | Hand and Upper Limb Centre for wrist pain associated with potential scapholunate instability and a cohort of healthy participants (n=30, male: 15) will be recruited. The participants will undergo unilateral imaging of the wrist using a 4DCT scanner while performing various ADLs (i.e. push-up, dart throwers motion, etc.). Using dynamic CT scanning, it is possible to render 3D videos of the carpal bones continuously and to examine subtle changes in contact mechanics and kinematics that are present due to the potential scapholunate instability. Early diagnosis of scapholunate injuries can prevent the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) by providing physicians with the opportunity for early detection and intervention. Novel information on scaphoid movement can assist: in designing and developing wrist arthroplasty tools and procedures; surgeons in positioning the carpal bones when performing partial wrist fusions; in developing better techniques for scapholunate ligament repair and reconstruction [5]

Project: Dynamic 4DCT to examine the effects of mal-united distal radius fractures on carpal contact mechanics

Graduate Student: Puneet Kaur Ranota

Distal radius fractures (DRF) are common orthopedic injuries and one of the major complications following a DRF is malunion. Planar x-rays are used by researchers and doctors to evaluate wrist joints, but they are not always precise and limited to two dimensions. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) can be used to look at the wrist joints in three dimensions, but it is limited to static frames. Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) allows for dynamic assessment of the joint mechanics. This novel imaging technique provides a movie of bones in the wrist. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the way wrist bones are moving and contacting following a DRF and the possibility of abnormal wear and tear over time. These findings will allow us to better understand the relationship between joint alignment following a wrist fracture and the associated long-term clinical outcomes.  Additionally, these findings will benefit society by developing tools to predict the risk of developing arthritis and it will help doctors determine when surgery post fracture is necessary to prevent the arthritis of the hand and wrist, pain and disability.  

 Patients who have suffered from a DRF who were treated at the Roth | McFarlane Hand & Upper Limb Centre were identified and contacted. The inclusion criteria included unilateral wrist fracture and the exclusion criteria included plate, and pins (metal).  Using the 4DCT scanner, wrists of participants were scanned in 2 static positions (pronation and supination) and 3 kinematic motions (full pronation to full supination, full wrist flexion to full extension, and radial deviation to ulnar deviation). Three-dimensional reconstructions of the wrist bones were created using a threshold-based semiautomatic segmentation. A previously developed inter-bone distance algorithm was used to measure relative 3D joint space reduction over time in the joints. Repeated measures ANOVA will be conducted to identify significant differences.

Project: Sex-linked Differences in Distal Radius Morphology: Implications of Volar-locking Plate Design

Graduate Student: Madeline Perrin

Distal radius fractures are one of the most commonly occurring fractures in the human body, and are increasingly being treated surgically using volar-locking plates. Volar-locking plates are pre-contoured to provide a low-profile template that allows for anatomic reduction of the fracture fragments. Distal radius fractures occur within a bimodal population distribution of young male and elderly female patients. Elderly females are particularly susceptible due to low-energy traumas and poor bone quality. The geometry of the distal radius is extremely complex, with variations in anatomical features based on sex, age, and bone quality. There is currently little evidence within medical literature to suggest that current implant designs are anatomically accurate for both males and females.

This project focuses on determining if anatomical geometry of the distal radii corresponds accurately with modern volar-locking plates. This is done using 3D object renderings from computed tomography (CT) scans. Assessing both bone and plate models in 3D it is possible to quantify implant placement and geometrical features using measures such as; volar-cortical angles, percent contact, and watershed line placement. The project focuses on presenting implications that can be influential to future plate design for gender and age specific applications. 

Project: Longitudinal Effects of Scapholunate Instability on Two Image-Based Biomarkers and Chronic Pain: Utility of Quantitative CT

Graduate Student: Lauren Straatman

Scapholunate injuries (SL) are the most common type of ligamentous wrist injury that commonly leads to instability, pain and functional disability, having a serious impact on patients quality of life. The population most commonly impacted by SL injuries is a young (approximately 40 years of age), male population with a history of working in manual labour. If an SL injury is left untreated, the resultant consequence is a form of secondary OA known as Scapholunate Advanced Collapse (SLAC). Scapholunate advanced collapse is responsible for degenerative changes to the articular cartilage that commonly leads to increased wear between the bones. These changes are often associated with lasting pain and disability, and considering the prevalence in a young, working population, may lead to decades of impairment. The stages of SLAC are well-defined, transitioning from stage 1 (the most mild stage of SLAC), to stage 3 (the most severe stage, encompassing the whole radiocarpal articulation). Treatment options vary according to the stage of SLAC, however there is no cure for SLAC and the most common end-stage treatment involves salvage procedures, such as carpal fusion.

Current literature has focused on joint mal-tracking as the underlying mechanism leading to post-traumatic OA. However, other studies have demonstrated that some malalignment within the joint is tolerated, without arthritic progression. Specifically, malalignment should be considered a gradient risk of poor outcomes rather than an all-or-none phenomenon. Anatomically, cartilage is avascular and aneural, meaning that there are no blood vessels or nerves that supply the articular cartilage structure. This leads us to a very important question – if the articular cartilage is avascular and aneural in nature, why does increased wear on the cartilage cause some people to experince chronic pain and typical arthritic patterns following wrist trauma, while other people do not?

Current research on the knee is pointing towards a depth-specific imaging technique using quantitative computed tomography (QCT). QCT has been used to analyze depth-specific volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) as it relates to depth from the subchondral surface. These depth-specific imaging techniques have the potential to make distinctions between subchondral bone layers, which researchers are turning to as potential contributors to the pain experience in myriad MSK injuries due to the vascularity of the subchondral bone. Although this phenomenon has not yet been studied as extensively in the wrist, we believe depth-specific changes in the subchondral bone will help explain underlying biological mechanisms of post-traumatic OA and pain following SL injuries.

The purpose of our work is to prospectively and retrospectively analyze quantitative changes in subchondral vBMD following unilateral SL injuries, and the relationship between altered joint contact and subchondral bone. Sixty participants will be recruited for our study; n = 30 with a current, unilateral SL injury (prospective cohort) and n = 30 with a previous SL injury (retrospective cohort; 5+ years post injury), through the Hand and Upper Limb Center (HULC) at St. Joseph’s Hospital. All participants will undergo static CT scans accompanied by a calibration phantom used to estimate relative vBMD, and kinematic four-dimensional CT scans while performing a range of motion, to estimate joint contact. Participants will also undergo a battery of self-reported pain questionnaires in an attempt to capture the patients pain experience.

These research projects focus on the development and implementation of new technologies that bridge the gap between research discoveries and clinical practice, improving the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

NovaSonix Healthcare

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Project: Development and Implementation of Tru-Vu Wrist X-Ray Positioning Aid

Graduate Student: Laura Vancer