Johann Zwirner1, Carsten Babian2, Benjamin Ondruschka2, Stefan Schleifenbaum3, M Scholze4, Neil John Waddell5, Niels Hammer6. 1. Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, 270 Great King St, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: medijo@gmx.de. 2. Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 28, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; ZESBO - Center for Research on Musculoskeletal Systems, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. 4. Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemnitz University of Technology, Erfenschlager Str. 73, 09125 Chemnitz, Germany. 5. Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, 310 Great King St, 9016 Dunedin, New Zealand. 6. Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, 270 Great King St, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Fraunhofer IWU, Noethnitzerstr. 44, 01187 Dresden, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The human iliotibial tract (IT) is increasingly used in different types of musculoskeletal models. Previous findings indicate age-dependent changes of the human IT tensile properties, these lack confirmation to date. The relationship of the human IT and anthropometrical parameters, such as body height and weight has not been investigated before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 fresh human IT samples (age range 4 months to 93 years) were uniaxially tested using digital imaging correlation and the latest advances in 3D-printing to standardize biomechanical soft tissues testing. RESULTS: The tensile parameters of the human IT are not age-dependent, except for the maximum strain in males. Height significantly correlated to elastic modulus, tensile strength and maximum strain of the human IT in males. Females just showed a significant correlation between maximum strain and weight, which was contrary to the findings in males. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Age-dependency of human IT tensile parameters could not be confirmed in the larger sample size investigated in this study. Due to the strong correlation with the tensile IT parameters in males, we suggest that height should be integrated when the IT is used in simulations, such as finite element analyses of the hip and knee.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The human iliotibial tract (IT) is increasingly used in different types of musculoskeletal models. Previous findings indicate age-dependent changes of the human IT tensile properties, these lack confirmation to date. The relationship of the human IT and anthropometrical parameters, such as body height and weight has not been investigated before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 fresh human IT samples (age range 4 months to 93 years) were uniaxially tested using digital imaging correlation and the latest advances in 3D-printing to standardize biomechanical soft tissues testing. RESULTS: The tensile parameters of the human IT are not age-dependent, except for the maximum strain in males. Height significantly correlated to elastic modulus, tensile strength and maximum strain of the human IT in males. Females just showed a significant correlation between maximum strain and weight, which was contrary to the findings in males. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Age-dependency of human IT tensile parameters could not be confirmed in the larger sample size investigated in this study. Due to the strong correlation with the tensile IT parameters in males, we suggest that height should be integrated when the IT is used in simulations, such as finite element analyses of the hip and knee.
Authors: Mario Scholze; Sarah Safavi; Kai Chun Li; Benjamin Ondruschka; Michael Werner; Johann Zwirner; Niels Hammer Journal: HardwareX Date: 2020-11-21