Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a widely adopted surgical intervention for restoring mobility and reducing pain in patients with severe hip joint conditions, such as osteoporosis. However, traditional titanium implants often lead to stress shielding and subsequent bone resorption due to the mismatch in stiffness between the implant and bone. Objectives: This study computationally investigates the biomechanical performance of femoral implants made from composite materials, specifically polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA), compared to conventional titanium stems. Methods: Using finite element (FE) modeling, physiological loading during walking was simulated, and the strain energy density (SED) was analyzed to assess stress distribution and the potential for stress shielding across different Gruen zones. Results: The results indicate that both the PEEK and PLA composites exhibited more physiological load transfer, particularly in Gruen zones 1 and 7, reducing stress shielding and supporting bone preservation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PEEK and PLA composites may offer improved implant stability and bone integration. Despite highlighting the promise of biomimetic materials in orthopedics, this study is limited to computational analysis and requires experimental validation. It emphasizes the need for further investigation using patient-specific geometries and a variety of loading scenarios to confirm these benefits and optimize femoral implant design.

The knee is one of the joints most vulnerable to disease and injury, particularly in athletes and older adults. Surface temperature monitoring provides insights into the health of the analysed area, supporting early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. This study presents an innovative approach that combines infrared thermography techniques with a Resnet 152 (DeepLabCut based) to detect and monitor temperature variations across specific knee regions during repeated sit-to-stand exercises. Thermal profiles are then analysed in relation to weight distribution data collected using a Wii Balance Board during the exercise. DeepLabCut was used to automate the selection of the region of interest (ROI) for temperature assessments, improving data accuracy compared to traditional time-consuming semi-automatic methods. This integrative approach enables precise and marker-free measurements, offering clinically relevant data that can aid in the diagnosis of knee pathologies, evaluation of the rehabilitation progress, and assessment of treatment effectiveness. The results emphasize the potential of combining thermography with DeepLabCut-driven data analysis to develop accessible, non-invasive tools for joint health monitoring or preventive diagnostics of pathologies.

Musculoskeletal diseases of the knee joint affect a large percentage of the population, particularly athletes at the competitive level where stress on the joints is higher. These conditions can be diagnosed and monitored using various imaging techniques, such as radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, digital infrared thermal imaging is gaining popularity for screening, diagnosis, and disease progression monitoring. This method measures the heat radiating from the superficial dermal microcirculation located 1–2 mm below the epidermal surface. Numerous pathological processes, such as inflammatory, metabolic, and toxic conditions, manifest as local changes in heat production, making infrared thermal imaging a valuable clinical tool. In the present study, the temperature of the knee area in 22 participants was monitored using an infrared camera while performing sit-to-stand cycles. The change in temperature correlated with weight distribution between the legs during exercise, measured using a Wii Balance Board. The results of this new trial protocol are promising and suggest that further investigations should be conducted with more patients. Infrared thermal imaging demonstrated consistency in repeated knee measurements and showed potential for evaluating the relationship between regional knee temperatures and pathological conditions. Its strengths lie in its simplicity, accuracy, non-invasive nature, radiation-free nature, and patient specificity, which can improve clinical management. In combination with other diagnostic techniques, thermography provides a comprehensive overview of patients’ clinical conditions.

The calculation of manual tightening torque applied by clinicians plays a critical role in achieving optimal preload for dental implants. However, there is a research gap when it comes to understanding the specific calculus involved in this process. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the bending and torsional moments during manual tightening torque application by physicians of various specialties and genders. Additionally, the rates of early complications associated with clinician-calculated preload will be evaluated. The findings of this study will contribute to enhancing the understanding of clinician-controlled preload and guide future practices for successful dental implant outcomes.