Partner Institution
The University of Calgary is home to one of Canada’s top research facilities for joint health, the McCaig Institute of Joint and Bone Health. At its Centre for Mobility and Joint Health, clinical researchers have access to the most current imaging, movement assessment and diagnostic resources. The Institute also houses the latest biomechanical equipment and expertise at its Biomechanics Lab. In addition to its state-of-the-art facilities, the Institute is also positioned within a broad clinical research network through its affiliations with the Cumming School of Medicine and Arthritis Research Canada, North America’s largest clinical arthritis research institution.
Collaborators
Dr. Emily L. Bishop
University of Calgary
Dr. Gregor Kuntze
University of Calgary
Dr. Janet L. Ronsky
University of Calgary
Milestones
2018
Mitacs grants funding to the University of Calgary and Spring Loaded to support their joint research projects on the biomechanics and clinical effects of the Levitation knee brace.
December 2019
Research agreement between University of Calgary and Spring Loaded signed into effect.
December 2019
Researchers commence data collection for a biomechanics study and a clinical study on the Levitation knee brace.
April 2020
Abstract summarizing the biomechanical effects of the Levitation knee brace in patients with knee arthritis published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
2020
Full paper on the biomechanical effects of the Levitation knee brace in patients with knee arthritis under peer review at Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
2020
Results from a preliminary evaluation of the Levitation knee brace under peer review at the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Today
Data collection ongoing.
Affiliated Projects
Third biomechanical study of a novel tri-compartment offloader knee brace
This study examined the biomechanical effects of a tri-compartment offloader brace (TCO) in patients with multi-compartment knee OA while they performed actions of daily living. Results showed that Levitation can significantly reduce quadriceps muscle effort and internal knee extension moments.
Second biomechanical study of a tri-compartment offloader
By using a biomechanical model of the knee, this study demonstrated a tri-compartment offloader brace (TCO) can reduce a number of contact and ligament forces across the knee during a deep knee bend. The results replicate and extend the findings of Budarick et al. 2020, which demonstrated that a TCO can reduce knee joint loading.
Retrospective pilot survey of a novel tri-compartment offloader
An exploratory study of brace effectiveness was completed in a group of adults (n=40) with varied patterns of activity-related knee pain characteristic of patellofemoral, tibiofemoral, or multi-compartment knee OA.
