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International Journal of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Volume 6 (2020), Article ID 6:IJPTR-164, 14 pages
https://doi.org/10.15344/2455-7498/2020/164
Original Article
Bamboo Usage in Orthopedic: An Attempt to Reconcile Materials Properties with the Biomechanics of Human Walking

Talya Carnrike1, Aruoture Egoh1*, Kischa S. Reed2 and Peter N Kalu1

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
2Division of Physical Therapy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
Aruoture Egoh, Department of Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; Tel: +1 850 345 7857; E-mail: aruoture1.egoh@famu.edu
12 June 2020; 15 July 2020; 17 July 2020
Carnrike T, Egoh A, Reed KS, Kalu PN (2020) Bamboo Usage in Orthopedic: An Attempt to Reconcile Materials Properties with the Biomechanics of Human Walking. Int J Phys Ther Rehab 6: 164. doi: https://doi.org/10.15344/2455-7498/2020/164

Abstract

Background: This work is part of an ongoing study on the use of natural materials to provide low cost exoskeleton and orthopedic devices in general. An earlier work showed that fir, pine, oak and bamboo satisfied the requirements of the mid-stance of the Gait cycle which is about 10% of a person’s total weight. In reality, there are eight determinants of the gait cycle and they involve pelvic rotation and tilt, in addition to foot mechanics, knee mechanics and lateral displacement of pelvis. Furthermore, during walking, the peak vertical ground reaction force can rise up to 1.2 times the body weight. Therefore, any replacement exoskeleton material is expected to withstand this amount of compressive force and the rotational torques as well as possess excellent fracture toughness.
Methods: The eight determinants of the gait cycle of normal walking were analyzed with along their consideration that during walking, the peak vertical ground reaction force can rise up to 1.2 times the body weight. The materials selection process utilized the Ashby’s procedure and consists of four steps, namely: translation, screening, ranking and documentation. Additional assessment of the fracture toughness and formability of the materials were carried out.
Results: While all the natural materials satisfied the basic selection, process based on cost and weight, only oak and Moso bamboo fulfilled the additional requirement of strength and formability. Oak was however eliminated due to its characteristic low fracture toughness which means that it is unable to provide the weight bearing support in the stance phase.
Conclusion: All the natural materials studied satisfied the cost and weight requirements for low-cost orthopedic devices. However, only Moso bamboo with its characteristic high fracture toughness and formability can comfortably replace duralumin in exoskeleton.