Objective of the course is to present in a detailed way the 3D Biomechanical Postural analysis by means of optoelectronic technology and methods.
Posture is the expression of a complex interaction between several functional sub-systems forming the human body. The central nervous system is responsible for a very complex coordination of the osteoarticular, neuro-muscular and sensory systems, in order to produce even the simplest task, like ‘standing upright’ or ‘grasp a glass and drink’. Such a complex system implies different fields of the medical science – such as neurology, orthopaedics, physical medicine - to be involved to study, identify and cure pathologies related to postural disorders. Usually the malfunctioning of one or more of the subsystems involved in postural control results in a functional disorder (or limitation) that is necessary to quantify to allow a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that generated it. A valid and reliable support in this field is now represented by computerised biomechanical analysis of posture, which is nowadays used not only in research but also in the day to day clinical practice as a valid supporting tool to doctors and physiotherapists. One of the most widely used technology to carry out such analysis is the stereo-photogrammetric optoelectronic technology, integrated with force platforms, pressure insoles and surface electromyography; the combination and integration of different sources of information allow a 3D multifactorial postural analysis and evaluation of the functional characteristics of the subjects, for a quantitative approach to the medical practice.
OBJECTIVE OF THE PRESENT COURSE IS TO PROVIDE DEEP KNOWLEDGE ON THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY FOR POSTURAL AND MOTION DISORDERS
An opto-electronic system is composed by several infrared digital video cameras, which is capable to provide a dataset describing the postural stability of a patient to the doctors and physiotherapists; as opposed to other diagnostic techniques (like X-ray and other) this type of technology is non-invasive and does not have undesired effects on the patients. On top of that, the optoelectronic technology overcomes the 2D nature of X-ray and similar techniques and provides a complete 3D description and characterisation of the posture of the entire skeleton, including the cervical spine.
The kinematics measures obtained by the 3D optoelectronic systems are usually integrated by kinetic measures (like joint forces, joint moments, ground reaction forces), obtained by force platforms, that are tools capable of measuring forces and moments along the three directions of space. Furthermore, pressure distribution below the feet and muscular activity are measured by means of baropodographic pressure systems (like plates or insoles) and EMG devices, respectively.
The integration of such a diverse set of anatomical, biomechanical and physiological variables is what we call 3D multifactorial postural analysis.
Such technologies and methods allow for a quantitative analysis of motor disorders, and also for a quantification of the functional level of impairment due to a specific trauma or disease. This allows a more customised rehabilitation protocol, and provides the data necessary to monitor and evaluate the outcome of a rehabilitation program in order to fine tune it to the real needs of the patient.
