Biomechanical analysis of the meniscus and cartilage of the knee during a typical Tai Chi movement—brush-knee and twist-step

Yan Li; Kuan Wang; Lejun Wang; Tongbo Chang; Shengnian Zhang; Wenxin Niu; Yan Li; Kuan Wang; Lejun Wang; Tongbo Chang; Shengnian Zhang; Wenxin Niu

doi:10.3934/mbe.2019042

Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering

2019, Volume 16, Issue 2: 898-908. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2019042

Previous Article Next Article

Research article Special Issues

Biomechanical analysis of the meniscus and cartilage of the knee during a typical Tai Chi movement—brush-knee and twist-step

1.
Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sports, Shanghai 200438, China
2.
Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201615, China
3.
Department of Rehabilitation Engineering, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
4.
Sport and Health Research Center, Physical Education Department, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Received: 12 November 2018 Accepted: 17 December 2018 Published: 30 January 2019

This study aimed to analyze the biomechanical response of the knee cartilage and meniscus to a typical Tai Chi (TC) movement, brush-knee and twist-step (BKTS). Kinematic and kinetic data was recorded while an experienced TC practitioner performed normal walking, jogging and BKTS. The kinetic data were then imported into a validated finite element model of the knee joint to examine the biomechanical response of the articular cartilage and meniscus. Compared with walking and jogging, the BKTS movement showed a greater increase in the range of motion (ROM) of the knee. The ROM in the sagittal plane was 56^° (walking), 38^° (jogging) and 93^° (BKTS). In coronal plane, the knee ROM was 8^° (walking), 11^° (jogging) and 28^° (BKTS). And in horizontal plane the ROM was 17^° (walking), 15^° (jogging) and 29^° (BKTS). The finite element simulation demonstrated that the pressure contact stress is much more concentrated during walking and jogging than BKTS, which is consistent with the lower peak contact stresses recorded on the cartilage and meniscus. In conclusion, the TC movement produced a gentler stress state on the meniscus and cartilage, while also requiring a greater knee ROM. Practicing TC may have a lower risk of knee joint injury compared to walking and jogging.
- Tai Chi,
- finite element analysis,
- brush-knee and twist-step,
- knee,
- stress distribution
Citation: Yan Li, Kuan Wang, Lejun Wang, Tongbo Chang, Shengnian Zhang, Wenxin Niu. Biomechanical analysis of the meniscus and cartilage of the knee during a typical Tai Chi movement—brush-knee and twist-step[J]. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering, 2019, 16(2): 898-908. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2019042

Related Papers:

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the biomechanical response of the knee cartilage and meniscus to a typical Tai Chi (TC) movement, brush-knee and twist-step (BKTS). Kinematic and kinetic data was recorded while an experienced TC practitioner performed normal walking, jogging and BKTS. The kinetic data were then imported into a validated finite element model of the knee joint to examine the biomechanical response of the articular cartilage and meniscus. Compared with walking and jogging, the BKTS movement showed a greater increase in the range of motion (ROM) of the knee. The ROM in the sagittal plane was 56^° (walking), 38^° (jogging) and 93^° (BKTS). In coronal plane, the knee ROM was 8^° (walking), 11^° (jogging) and 28^° (BKTS). And in horizontal plane the ROM was 17^° (walking), 15^° (jogging) and 29^° (BKTS). The finite element simulation demonstrated that the pressure contact stress is much more concentrated during walking and jogging than BKTS, which is consistent with the lower peak contact stresses recorded on the cartilage and meniscus. In conclusion, the TC movement produced a gentler stress state on the meniscus and cartilage, while also requiring a greater knee ROM. Practicing TC may have a lower risk of knee joint injury compared to walking and jogging.

References

[1]	J. W. Bijlsma, F. Berenbaum and F. P. Lafeber, Osteoarthritis: An update with relevance for clinical practice, Lancet, 377 (2011), 2115–2126.
[2]	G. Peat, R. McCarney and P. Croft, Knee pain and osteoarthritis in older adults: A review of community burden and current use of primary health care, Ann. Rheum. Dis., 60 (2011), 91–97.
[3]	W. D. Chang, S. Chen, C. L. Lee, H. Y. Lin and P. T. Lai, The effects of tai chi chuan on improving mind-body health for knee osteoarthritis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Evid. Based. Complement. Alternat. Med., 2016 (2016), 1813979.
[4]	R. Lauche, J. Langhorst, G. Dobos and H. Cramer, A systematic review and meta-analysis of Tai Chi for osteoarthritis of the knee, Complement. Ther. Med., 21 (2013), 396–406.
[5]	Q. G. Zhu, L. Y. Huang, X. Wu, L. Wang, Y. Zhang, M. Fang, Y. Liu and J. X. Li, Effects of Tai Ji Quan training on gait kinematics in older Chinese women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. J. Sport Health Sci., 5 (2016), 297–303.
[6]	M. C. Hochberg, R. D. Altman, K. T. April, M. Benkhalti, G. Guyatt, J. McGowan, T. Towheed, V. Welch, G. Wells and P. Tugwell, American college of rheumatology 2012 recommendations for the use of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies in osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee, Arth. Care. Res., 64 (2012), 465–474.
[7]	J. L. Astephen, K. J. Deluzio, G. E. Caldwell and M. J. Dunbar, Biomechanical changes at the hip, kneeand ankle joints during gait are associated with knee osteoarthritis severity, J. Orthop. Res., 26 (2008), 332–341.
[8]	B. D. Jackson, A. E. Wluka, A. J. Teichtahl, M. E. Morris and F. M. Cicuttini, Reviewing knee osteoarthritis-a biomechanical perspective, J. Sci. Med. Sport, 7 (2004), 347–357.
[9]	D. W. Mao, Y. L. Hong and J. X. Li, Characteristics of foot movement in Tai Chi exercise, Phys. Ther., 86 (2006), 215–222.
[10]	N. Y. Law and J. X. Li, The temporospatial and kinematic characteristics of typical tai chi movements: Repulse monkey and wave-hand in cloud, Res. Sports Med., 22 (2014), 111–123.
[11]	D. J. Hunter, Y. Q. Zhang, J. B. Niu, X. Tu, S. Amin, M. Clancy, A. Guermazi, M. Grigorian, D. Gale and D. T. Felson, The association of meniscal pathologic changes with cartilage loss in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, Arthritis. Rheu., 54 (2010), 795–801.
[12]	Z. Deng, K. Wang, H. H. Wang, T. Y. Lan, H. S. Zhan and W. X. Niu, A finite element study of traditional Chinese cervical manipulation, Eur. Spine J., 22 (2017), 2308–2317.
[13]	J. Yao, G. M. Kuang, D. W. Wong, W. X. Niu, M. Zhang and Y. B. Fan, Influence of screw length and diameter on tibial strain energy density distribution after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Acta. Mech. Sinica., 30 (2014), 241–249.
[14]	G. Wu and D. Millon, Joint kinetics during Tai Chi gait and normal walking gait in young and elderly Tai Chi Chuan practitioners, Clin. Biomech., 23 (2008), 787–795.
[15]	R. Song, B. L. Roberts, E. O. Lee, P. Lam and S. C. Bae, A randomized study of the effects of t'ai chi on muscle strength, bone mineral density, and fear of falling in women with osteoarthritis, J. Altern. Complem. Med., 16 (2010), 227–233.
[16]	P. F. Tsai, J. Y. Chang, C. Beck, Y. F. Kuo and F. J. Keefe, A pilot cluster-randomized trial of a 20-week tai chi program in elders with cognitive impairment and osteoarthritic knee: Effects on pain and other health outcomes, J. Pain Symptom. Manage., 45 (2013), 660–669.
[17]	K. N. Radzak, A. M. Putnam, K. Tamura, R. K. Hetzler and C. D. Stickley, Asymmetry between lower limbs during rested and fatigued state running gait in healthy individuals, Gait Posture, 51 (2017), 268–274.
[18]	W. K. Lam, J. Ryue, K. K. Lee, S. K. Park, J. T. Cheung and J. Ryu, Does shoe heel design influence ground reaction forces and knee moments during maximum lunges in elite and intermediate badminton players? PloS One, 12 (2017), e0174604.
[19]	G. C. Fanelli, C. J. Edson, K. N. Reinheimer and R. Garofalo, Posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner reconstruction, Sports Med. Arthrosc., 15 (2007), 168–175.
[20]	T. L. Donahue, M. B. Fisher and S. A. Maher, Meniscus mechanics and mechanobiology, J. Biomech., 48 (2015), 1341–1342.
[21]	C. Waller, D. Hayes, J. E. Block and N. J. London, Unload it: The key to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, Knee. Surg. Sport Tr. A., 19 (2011), 1823–1829.
[22]	M. Taylor, K. E. Tanner and M. A. Freeman, Finite element analysis of the implanted proximal tibia: A relationship between the initial cancellous bone stresses and implant migration, J. Biomech., 31 (1998), 303–310.
[23]	M. Kazemi, A viscoelastic poromechanical model of the knee joint in large compression, Med. Eng. Phys., 36 (2014), 998–1006.
[24]	T. Fukubayashi and H. Kurosawa, The contact area and pressure distribution pattern of the knee. A study of normal and osteoarthrotic knee joints. Acta. Orthop. Scand., 51 (1980), 871–879.
[25]	K. W. Chau and D. W. Mao, The characteristics of foot movements in tai chi chuan, Res. Sports Med., 14 (2006), 19–28.
[26]	Y. Hong and J. X. Li, Biomechanics of Tai Chi: A review, Sports Biomech., 6 (2007), 453–464.
[27]	S. D. Waldman, C. G. Spiteri, M. D. Grynpas, R. M. Pilliar and R. A. Kandel, Long-term intermittent compressive stimulation improves the composition and mechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage, Tissue. Eng., 10 (2004), 1323–1331.
[28]	T. M. Griffin and F. Guilak, The role of mechanical loading in the onset and progression of osteoarthritis, Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., 33 (2005), 195–200.
[29]	L. E. Defrate, R. Papannagari, T. J. Gill, J. M. Moses, N. P. Pathare and G. Li, The 6 degrees of freedom kinematics of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament deficiency: An in vivo imaging analysis, Am. J. Sports Med., 34 (2006), 1240–1246.
[30]	G. Wu, W. Liu, J. Hitt and D. Millon, Spatial, temporal and muscle action patterns of Tai Chi gait, J. Electromyogr. Kines., 14 (2004), 343–354.
[31]	Q. H. Huang and Z. Z. Zeng, A Review on Real-Time 3D Ultrasound Imaging Technology, Biomed. Res. Int., 2017 (2017), 6027029.
[32]	Q. H. Huang, B. W. Wu, J. L. Lan and X. L. Li, Fully Automatic Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging Based on Conventional B-scan, IEEE. Trans. Biomed. Circuits. Syst., 12 (2018), 426–436.
[33]	Q. H. Huang, J. L. Lan and X. L. Li, Robotic arm based automatic ultrasound scanning for three-dimensional imaging, IEEE. Trans. Ind. Inform. (in press). DOI: 10.1109/TII.2018.2871864.

Reader Comments

Your name:*

Email:*
© 2019 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)