Project Overview:
The anterior knee pain, caused by patella-femoral joint instability (PFJ), is a common orthopedic issue affecting adolescent girls. This condition has multiple contributing factors, and there is a knowledge gap in understanding the most significant factors and patho-mechanics involved.
Three main factors may contribute to this instability: abnormal femur and patella bone shapes, laxity of the medial patella femoral ligament (MPFL), and the orientation of the knee extensor mechanism. A thorough clinical decision-making process requires evaluating the relative contribution of each factor to overall instability to address the principal cause(s) and help the patient.
Research Objectives:
* To develop a patient-specific musculoskeletal modeling platform for evaluating the relative contribution of each factor to PFJ instability.
* To utilize three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for creating a detailed model of the knee joint and bi-plane radiographs (EOS) for creating models of the entire lower limbs.
Methodology:
Musculoskeletal simulations will be performed using the OpenSim musculoskeletal modeling platform. The project aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between the various factors contributing to PFJ instability.
Work Environment:
The PhD student will work within a multidisciplinary team at the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), comprising orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, human movement scientists, and biomedical engineers. The student will oversee data collection, assist in organizing workshops and conferences, participate in outreach activities, and present research at scientific meetings.
Requirements:
* A master's degree in Biomechanics or related fields.
* Excellent programming skills in Matlab/Python.
* Good command of German and English languages.
* Ability to work independently within a diverse environment.
Working Conditions:
The project is based at UKBB and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel. The successful candidate will be immersed in a stimulating clinical and research environment with cutting-edge medical imaging infrastructure. The salary and conditions of employment will be those of PhD students at the University of Basel.