The dislocation of the patella is the dislocation of the kneecap sideways— either laterally, to the outward facing side of the leg, or medially, to the inward facing side of the leg. While the condition is rare, accounting for around 3% of knee injuries, acute patellar dislocations are painful health emergencies with long-lasting consequences if not properly treated. This is especially true in a wilderness medicine context: a patellar dislocation may create dangerous and even deadly scenarios in the backcountry, where long, complicated evacuation processes will prolong patient discomfort and the precarious wilderness environment may lead to further danger. Thus certified wilderness first responders are permitted to perform straightforward dislocation reductions in a backcountry setting to alleviate pain and assist evacuation.
Continue reading “Where the Treatable can become Life-Threatening: The Link Between Patellar Dislocations, Biomechanics, and Wilderness Emergency Medicine”Month: October 2025
Patellar Tendonitis: Affecting Forces and Recovery Methods
Patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is inflammation of the patellar tendon. This tendon connects the patella (kneecap) to the tibia. Its function is to extend the leg by transmitting the force produced by the quad to do so. Tendonitis develops when there is overuse of the tendon, Athletes who participate in sports such as basketball or volleyball are more likely to develop patellar tendonitis. Tendonitis is a complex injury that is difficult to overcome and can delay an athlete’s return to play. Understanding the forces acting on the tendon during jumping can help create a plan that will help the athlete return to play quickly and reduce the chances of reinjury.
Continue reading “Patellar Tendonitis: Affecting Forces and Recovery Methods”Turning Pretty: The Biomechanics of Perfecting Piqués In Dance
While technical dance, such as ballet, is the epitome of visually effortless movements, have you wondered how dancers are able to turn on a small bodily area without falling over? It turns out there is much more to a dancer’s execution of a turn than the elegant movement the audience sees.
Continue reading “Turning Pretty: The Biomechanics of Perfecting Piqués In Dance”Ostrich-ized From Flight, But Not From Stride: The Unique Biomechanics of the World’s Fastest Bird
Ostriches are the largest two-footed bird. While they are unable to fly, they are the fastest running birds in the world, reaching speeds of up to 43 mph. But how are these large birds able to reach such fast speeds? Understanding the kinematics of ostrich motion compared to humans can reveal to us important information that can help when designing human-based technologies.
Continue reading “Ostrich-ized From Flight, But Not From Stride: The Unique Biomechanics of the World’s Fastest Bird”Ride at Your Own Risk: Roller Coasters and the Human Body
Humans are thrill-seekers and what better thrill than a death-defying roller coaster ride? The adrenaline rush that comes from the sharp twists and turns cause us to seek bigger and faster rides. However, the forces exerted on us during a ride impact the human body beyond just providing a fun time. Depending on the speeds and accelerations of the ride, body parts such as the neck, brain, and spine are affected or may even be injured. Therefore, it is important to know potential risks before chasing the next ride.
Restoring Order to the Heart: Procedural Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation
Most of us do not give our heartbeat a second thought. However, for over 10 million Americans, an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib) disrupts daily life. AFib is the most common heart arrhythmia worldwide. It occurs when improperly triggered electrical signals in the heart cause the atria, or upper chambers, to beat sporadically.
Some people with AFib have no symptoms, while others suffer from chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, and lightheadedness. More seriously, those with AFib have a five-times greater risk of stroke because the irregular rhythm can cause blood to collect, forming a clot that can travel to the brain.
AFib treatments aim to control heart rate or restore normal rhythm. Typically, oral medication is recommended first, but if ineffective, surgical treatments are often the next step.
Continue reading “Restoring Order to the Heart: Procedural Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation”Double-Jointedness: the Benefits and Drawbacks of Hypermobility
Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Patrick Mahomes, and Shohei Ohtani are all athletes who have benefited from hypermobile joints. However, hypermobility can be both a blessing and a curse. Joint hypermobility, or “double-jointedness”, is when joints are able to move beyond their normal range of motion, and the connective tissue holding joints together is loose or weak. Most people with hypermobile joints do not experience any issues, but some suffer from ligament and tendon injuries, joint pain, tiredness, anxiety disorders, and bowel issues.
Continue reading “Double-Jointedness: the Benefits and Drawbacks of Hypermobility”The 21,000 lb Question – How Elephants Defy Logic Through Locomotion
One of the most prominent questions in the engineering industry is how to build something that lasts. The biomechanics of elephant locomotion gives an example of near engineering perfection stemming from biology itself – with each foot supporting thousands of pounds of weight consistently and without failure while also maintaining mobility.
Continue reading “The 21,000 lb Question – How Elephants Defy Logic Through Locomotion”Less Art, More Science: Towards Building Better Prostheses
Imagine waking up one morning and realizing your legs don’t fit you. Not metaphorically, but literally. When your favorite jeans no longer fit, you pick another pair. But for people with lower-limb amputations, this “fit” problem could mean that their day ahead is now ruined. Their prosthetic socket—the rigid shell that connects the limb to its prosthesis—must fit precisely around a residual limb that constantly changes in shape and size.
Continue reading “Less Art, More Science: Towards Building Better Prostheses”Turf Toe Explained: The Metatarsal Joint Injury Behind a Common Sports Setback
In some of the world’s greatest sports such as football, soccer, basketball, etc., injuries are the topic of conversation. How many weeks will the franchise athlete miss with an Achilles tear, knee sprain, Tommy John surgery, or broken bone? However, an injury to the metatarsophalangeal joint, commonly known as Turf Toe, can cause an athlete severe pain leaving star players sidelined for prolonged periods of time. While the increased flexion at the connection between the great or big toe and the bottom of the foot will continue to be present in every high-level sport, understanding the mechanics surrounding this injury might help remediate and treat this pain in the future.
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