Louisiana Via Research Day Book 2026

Simulation / Education

Simulation / Education

129 MENISCAL MORPHOLOGY AND OSTEOARTHRITIC LESION DISTRIBUTION IN CADAVERIC HUMAN KNEES: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Vignesh Ravichandran, OMS-II; Jenna M. Dittmar, PhD VCOM-Louisiana 130 BIOMECHANICS OF GROUND-LEVEL FALLS IN GERIATRIC CADAVERS: QUANTITATIVE CORRELATION OF HEAD IMPACT KINEMATICS WITH CRANIOFACIAL INJURY SEVERITY

Matthew Overturf, PhD; Kayla Fraser, OMS-III VCOM-Louisiana

Context: Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and functional impairment worldwide and is characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage along with structural changes in surrounding joint tissues. The menisci play a critical role in load transmission, shock absorption, and joint stability, therefore alterations in meniscal morphology have been implicated in osteoarthritic disease processes. Despite this, detailed gross anatomical data describing regional meniscal morphology in relation to osteoarthritic lesions of the femoral and tibial condyles remain limited in human cadaveric specimens. Problem: While clinical and imaging studies suggest associations between meniscal pathology and osteoarthritis, few studies provide direct anatomical measurements of meniscal thickness and width across defined regions of the meniscus. Additionally, the relationship between meniscal morphology and the presence and severity of osteoarthritic lesions has not been well characterized through cadaveric dissection.

Objective: To characterize regional variations in medial and lateral meniscal morphology and to explore associations between meniscal measurements, body mass index (BMI), and osteoarthritic lesion presence and severity in human cadaveric knees. Methods: An exploratory observational study was performed using ten adult human cadaveric knee specimens. Height, weight, and BMI were recorded for each individual. Medial and lateral menisci were dissected and measured for thickness and width at anterior, middle, and posterior regions. Osteoarthritic lesions of the femoral and tibial condyles were assessed grossly, with lesion area quantified and severity graded using an ordinal scale (grades I–IV). Descriptive statistics and non parametric analyses were used to explore anatomical variation and associations among meniscal morphology, BMI, and osteoarthritic findings. Results: Meniscal thickness and width demonstrated regional variation across anatomical locations, with observable differences between medial and lateral menisci.

Osteoarthritic lesions varied in presence and severity across specimens and joint surfaces, with higher grades generally corresponding to larger lesion areas. Exploratory analyses suggested associations between increased BMI and osteoarthritic lesion area. Conclusion: This cadaveric study demonstrates regional variation in meniscal morphology and identifies preliminary associations between meniscal structure and osteoarthritic changes of the knee. These findings provide foundational anatomical data to support future studies investigating structural contributors to knee osteoarthritis.

Context: Ground-level falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the WHO, an estimated 684,000 fatal falls occur each year, making it the second leading cause of unintentional injury death, after road traffic injuries. This mechanism of action is a leading cause of craniofacial trauma in geriatric populations, especially in elderly females, yet the biomechanical mechanisms that underlie the facial fracture patterns are not yet understood. Age-related changes in cranial and facial bones may reduce stability and increase susceptibility to fracture/injury; however, experimental data that links fall biomechanics to craniofacial injuries is not available in the current literature. Objective: To identify sex-specific biomechanical risk of craniofacial injuries from to ground-level falls in geriatric individuals. Methods: Twelve formalin-embalmed willed body donors (6 male, 6 female; age ≥65 years) were subjected to controlled forward falls from standing height onto a rigid concrete surface. Head acceleration was recorded using a triaxial accelerometer attached to the skull (occiput).

Raw acceleration signals were converted to physical units (m/s²), and the magnitude of acceleration was calculated. Many of the instantaneous peaks exceeded the upper limits of the sensor’s range (roughly 1961.33 m/s²). Peak acceleration was quantified using a 10-ms moving-average of the resultant magnitude, consistent with many biomechanics studies and the current Head Injury Criterion (HIC). Soft tissue injuries and craniofacial fractures were documented macroscopically and correlated with impact characteristics. Results: The 10ms averaged accelerations from the 12 ground-level falls ranged from 2157.46 m/s² to 7256.92 m/s². The higher severity impacts resulted in fractures of the frontal bone, maxilla, nasion, zygomatic bone, mandible, and full-thickness lacerations of the skin and soft tissues. Lower-magnitude peak accelerations consisted of fewer and less severe fractures. There was significant variability among the fractures despite a similar methodology, demonstrating the importance of craniofacial anatomy and biomechanical stability on injury outcome.

Conclusion: Ground-level falls in geriatric individuals can generate substantial head accelerations sufficient to cause complex craniofacial injuries. These findings suggest that age-related skeletal changes contribute to fracture susceptibility and demonstrate the necessity for biomechanical considerations in the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of geriatric fall-related craniofacial trauma.

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2026 Research Recognition Day