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Experimental determination of the elbow’s center of rotation using the VICON™ optoelectronic motion capture system

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Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge of elbow kinematics is essential to better understand this joint. There is currently no reliable dynamic method to accurately study the elbow joint in a non-invasive manner. The goal of this study was to implement an accurate protocol to study in vivo elbow kinematics using a VICON™ optoelectronic motion analysis system.

Méthods

The elbow’s centers of rotation (CR) were calculated for 10 anatomical specimens. The effect of skin movement was determined by comparing measurements taken using skin surface markers and bone-fixed markers. The validated protocol was then used in 30 healthy subjects who underwent passive elbow joint movements.

Results

The elbow’s CR was found to be distal (7 ± 14 mm), lateral (4 ± 9 mm) and anterior (4 ± 10 mm) to the medial epicondyle in vitro. Mean CR values for anatomical specimens did not differ whether calculated using the skin-based or bone-fixed markers.

Conclusion

This study has validated a dynamic, non-invasive, and accurate method for locating the elbow’s center of rotation. This preliminary study thus found a different center of rotation of the one in the middle of the trochlea previously thought. This could lead us to reflect on the designs of our prostheses to reduce the mechanical stresses and the risk of loosening.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Pr H. Migaud for his contribution

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille University Hospital, Rue du Professeur Emile Laine, 59037, Lille Cedex, France

    Elvire Guerre, Pascale Laronde, Christian Fontaine & Guillaume Wavreille

  2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Henri Warembourg, Place de Verdun, University of Lille, 59045, Lille Cedex, France

    Elvire Guerre, Pascale Laronde, Christian Fontaine & Guillaume Wavreille

  3. Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes, France

    Jérôme Cussonneau

  4. Technische Universität München, München, Germany

    Jérôme Cussonneau

  5. Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Mécanique, et d’Informatique industrielles et Humaines (LAMIH) FRE 3304, Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambraisis, Le Mont Houy, 59313, Valenciennes Cedex 9, France

    Christian Fontaine

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  1. Elvire Guerre
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Correspondence to Elvire Guerre.

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Guerre, E., Laronde, P., Cussonneau, J. et al. Experimental determination of the elbow’s center of rotation using the VICON™ optoelectronic motion capture system. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 395–401 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1589-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1589-2

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