Abstract
The present study sought to investigate the effects of source-sensor distance, sensor orientation and the effects of metallic total hip replacement (THR) prostheses on the accuracy of the 3Space Tracker System (3STS). Using a simulated hip joint, the angles measured by the 3STS with six different source-sensor distances and two source-sensor orientations were recorded. Then the angles measured in the absence and presence of three different THR prostheses were compared. Both source-sensor distance and sensor orientation affects the accuracy of the 3STS. Measurements were only affected by the presence of one type of prosthesis. The 3STS was equally reliable, but less accurate with source-sensor distances of more than 25 cm. The small angular error and insensitivity of this device to the presence of some metallic THR prostheses make it a useful measurement tool for gait studies performed before and after THR surgery.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Whittle, M. W.,Gait analysis: an introduction, 3rd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 110–111, 2002.
An, K. N., Jacobsen, M. C., Berglund, L. J. and Chao, E. Y. S.,Application of a magnetic tracking device to kinesiologic Studies, J. Biomech., 27:613–620, 1988.
Itoi, E., Motzkin, N. E., Morrey, B. F. and An, K. N.,Scapular inclination and inferior stability of the shoulder, J. Shoulder Elb. Surg., 1:131–139,1992.
Imaeda, T., Niebur, G., An, K. N. and Cooney, W. P.,Kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal joint after sectioning of the ligaments, J. Orthopaed. Res., 12:205–210, 1994.
McGill, S. M., Cholewicki, J. and Peach, J. P.,Methodological considerations for using inductive sensors (3Space Isotrak) to monitor 3-D orthopaedic joint motion, Clin. Biomech., 12:190–194, 1997.
Sidles, J. A., Larson, R. V., Garbini, J. L., Downey, D. J. and Matsen, F. A.,Ligament length relationships in the moving Knee, J. Orthopaed. Res., 6:593–610,1988.
An, K. N., Browne, A. O., Korinek, S., Tanaka, S. and Morrey, B. F.,Three-dimensional kinematics of glenohumeral Elevation, J. Orthopaed. Res., 9:143–149, 1991.
Zoghi, M., Hefzy, M. S., Fu, K. C. and Jakson, W. T.,A threedimensional morphometrical study of the distal human femur, J. Eng. Med., 206:147–157, 1992.
McKellop, H., Hoffman, R., Sarmiento, A., Bin, L. U. and Ebramzadeh, E.,Control of motion of tibial fractures with use of a functional brace or external fixator, J. Bone Joint Surg., 75A:1019–1025, 1993.
Milne, A. D., Chess, D. G., Johnson, J. A. and King, G. J. W.,Accuracy of an electromagnetic tracking device: A study of the optimal operating range and metal interference, J. Biomech., 29:791–783, 1996.
An, K. N., Browne, A. O., Korinek, S., Tanaka, S. and Morrey, B. F.,Three-dimensional kinematics of glenohumeral elevation, J. Orthopaed. Res., 9:143–149, 1991.
Pearcy, M. J. and Hindle, R. J.,New method for the noninvasive three-dimensional measurement of human back movement, Clin. Biomech., 4:73–79, 1989.
Johnson, G. R. and Anderson, J. M.,Measurement of threedimensional shoulder movement by an electromagnetic sensor, Clin. Biomech., 5:131–136, 1990.
Buchalter, D., Parnianpour, M., Viola, K., Nordin, M. and Karnovitz, N.,Three-dimensional spinal motion measurements. Part 1: A technique for examining posture and functional spinal motion, J. Spinal Disord., 1:279–283, 1989.
Culham, E. and Peat, M.,Spinal and shoulder complex posture: measurement using the 3Space™Isotrak™, Clin. Rehab., 7:309–318, 1993.
Stewart, S. G., Jull, G. A., Ng, J. K-F. and Willems, J. M.,An initial analysis of thoracic spine movement during unilateral arm elevation, The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 3:15–20, 1995.
McKellop, H., Hoffman, R., Sarmiento, A., Bin, L. U. and Ebramzadeh, E.,Control of motion of tibial fractures with use of a functional brace or external fixator, J. Bone Joint Surg., 75A: 1019–1025, 1993.
Polhemus 3Space™ Users Manual, Polhemus, a Kaser Aerospace and Electronics Company. PO Box 560, Cholchester, VT, USA, 1990.
Perie, D., Tate, A. J., Cheng, P. L. and Dumas, G. A.,Evaluation and calibration of an electromagnetic tracking device for biomechanical analysis of lifting tasks, J. Biomech., 35:293–7, 2002.
LaScalza, S., Arico, J. and Hughes, R..Effect of metal and sampling rate on accuracy of Flock of Birds electromagnetic tracking system. J Biomech., 36:141–4, 2003.
Ayres, M. B., Pearcy, M. J., Frick, R. A. and Sharpe, M. H.,Bilateral femoral rotations measured during walking: A new parameter to summarize and describe individual gait, Clin. Biomech., 11:354–357, 1996.
Nazeran, H., Hosseini, H. G., Ayres, M. B. and Pearcy, M.,Power spectrum analysis of femoral rotations during gait, J. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput., 35:553–555, 1997.
Bland, J. M. and Altman, D. G.,Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement, The Lancet, 8:307–310, 1986.
Day, S. J., Dumas, G. A. and Murdoch, D. J.,Evaluation of a long-range transmitter for use with a magnetic tracking device in motion analysis, J. Biomech., 31:957–961, 1998.
Raab, F. H., Blood, E. B., Steiner, T. C. and Jones, H. R.,Magnetic position and orientation tracking system, IEEE T Aero. Elec. Sys., 15:709–718, 1979.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jaberzadeh, S., Scutter, S. & Zoghi, M. Accuracy of an electromagnetic tracking device for measuring hip joint kinematics during gait: effects of metallic total hip replacement prosthesis, source-sensor distance and sensor orientation. Australas. Phys. Eng. Sci. Med. 28, 184 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178714
Received:
Accepted:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178714