Design and development of an elbow loading apparatus and the determination of elbow kinematics

urrent rehabilitation protocols and surgical procedures of the elbow are not scientifically justified. As a result, the outcomes of many upper extremity disorders remain suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically relevant manner to study upper extremity kinematics and to determine the optimal co-ordinate system to quantify this motion. An unconstrained loading apparatus, incorporating a loading frame, pneumatic actuators, a tendon alignment unit and an electromagnetic tracking system, was developed. In testing of ten cadaveric specimens, active motions were readily simulated using computer-controlled sequential loading. In all cases, simulated active motion was more repeatable than passive motion for supinated flexion and forearm supination (p...