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An MRI-based leg model used to simulate biomechanical phenomena during cuff algometry: a finite element study

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Abstract

Cuff pressure stimulation is applicable for assessing deep-tissue pain sensitivity by exciting a variety of deep-tissue nociceptors. In this study, the relative transfer of biomechanical stresses and strains from the cuff via the skin to the muscle and the somatic tissue layers around bones were investigated. Cuff pressure was applied on the lower leg at three different stimulation intensities (mild pressure to pain). Three-dimensional finite element models including bones and three different layers of deep tissues were developed based on magnetic resonance images (MRI). The skin indentation maps at mild pressure, pain threshold, and intense painful stimulations were extracted from MRI and applied to the model. The mean stress under the cuff position around tibia was 4.6, 4.9 and around fibula 14.8, 16.4 times greater than mean stress of muscle surface in the same section at pain threshold and intense painful stimulations, respectively. At the same stimulation intensities, the mean strains around tibia were 36.4, 42.3 % and around fibula 32.9, 35.0 %, respectively, of mean strain on the muscle surface. Assuming strain as the ideal stimulus for nociceptors the results suggest that cuff algometry is less capable to challenge the nociceptors of tissues around bones as compared to more superficially located muscles.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by a Proof of Concept grant from the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Denmark. EIR and SMI at Aalborg University are acknowledged for providing facilities and funding for the study. Nocitech is a company partly owned by Aalborg University. The authors have no conflict to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7D-3, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark

    Bahram Manafi-Khanian, Lars Arendt-Nielsen & Thomas Graven-Nielsen

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  1. Bahram Manafi-Khanian
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  2. Lars Arendt-Nielsen
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  3. Thomas Graven-Nielsen
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Correspondence to Thomas Graven-Nielsen.

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Manafi-Khanian, B., Arendt-Nielsen, L. & Graven-Nielsen, T. An MRI-based leg model used to simulate biomechanical phenomena during cuff algometry: a finite element study. Med Biol Eng Comput 54, 315–324 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-015-1291-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-015-1291-x

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