Investigator: John Drace, MD

Project Staff: Felix E. Zajac, PhD and V. Rodney Hentz, MD

Summary: Measurement of musculoskeletal function is necessary to diagnose musculoskeletal pathology and assess treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can currently be used to measure musculoskeletal properties when the tissues are stationary. The objective of this project is to develop magnetic imaging techniques to measure the motion of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Findings: Cine Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Cine-PC MRI) has been adapted to non-invasively measure 3-dimensional, in vivo, skeletal muscle and bone velocity. Muscle and bone displacement were estimated by integrating the velocity measurements. We conclude that Cine-PC MRI is a promising technique for the non-invasive measurement of in vivo musculoskeletal dynamics.

Funding Source: NIH

Years: 1993-1998