Application of Glasgow-Maastricht Foot Model to Charcot Foot
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Application of the Glasgow-Maastricht Musculoskeletal Foot Model to Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy
IRAS ID
248665
Contact name
Nichola Renwick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Charcot Neuroarthropathy is a progressive disease which affects the musculoskeletal system and is characterised by joint dislocations, fractures and deformities. It most commonly occurs in the feet of people with Diabetes as a result of peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation due to damaged nerves). The destruction occurs in the soft and hard tissues of the weight-bearing joints and if left untreated the arches of the foot can collapse resulting in bony prominences on the bottom of the foot. This can subsequently lead to ulceration, infection and amputation. The disease process of Charcot neuroarthropathy is poorly understood and can often go undiagnosed until the later stages of the disease. Consequently, management of Charcot neuroarthropathy can be challenging.
The foot is a very complex structure composed of 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. This complexity makes it difficult to obtain accurate measurements of these structures and their movements. Musculoskeletal (MSK) modelling is a computer-based technique which allows for patient-specific models to be produced. Recently, MSK models have been developed to reproduce the real movement of the human body to study internal parameters (e.g. joint reaction force) avoiding use of direct measurement with invasive techniques. With the use of MSK models it is possible to estimate a variety of different parameters that may help in the understanding Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot. The Glasgow-Maastricht foot model is currently the most complex MSK foot model in the literature. It is able to estimate the motion of all 26 bones in the foot however its clinical application has so far been limited.
This project will focus on further development of the Glasgow-Maastricht patient-specific musculoskeletal model of the foot and its application to Charcot neuroarthropathy with the aim of understanding how the biomechanics of feet with Charcot neuroarthropathy are altered.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0367
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion