Lower Limb and Bone Age Assessment with the EOS System

Abstract

I. 1 The Importance of Assessment of the Lower Limb Biomechanical Parameters. The lower limb plays a vital role in locomotion and balance. A combination of factors influence its function, and the actions needed for upright motion and balance require an interplay between the dynamic elements of the neuromuscular system and the fixed biomechanical parameters ie. the bony skeleton. The lower limb of the developing child and adolescent is constantly changing and if the bony biomechanical parameters exceed the range of normal it can be indicative of a developing disorder or pre-disease state5,12,52 Severe alterations in biomechanical parameters can cause significant hardship via pain, gait deviation and even joint luxation. Disorders such as limb length discrepancy and torsional deformities and others have been associated with later osteoarthritis. Futhermore, femoral anteversion, leg length discrepancy and numerous other biomechanical parameters have been positively associated with increased risk of injury during sport and physical activity.