Patrick Costigan, PhD

PhD (Queen’s University) MSc (Queen’s University) BPHE (University of New Brunswick)

Contact Information

Email: pat.costigan@queensu.ca

Undergraduate Courses

KNPE 153 – Introductory Biomechanics

Research Summary

State of the art 3D motion analysis equipment is used to investigate orthopedic problems such as osteoarthritis of the knee, the development and clinical evaluation of devices, and the effects of surgical and non-surgical interventions. The measurement of forces and movements in the lower limb leads us to understand how these loads influence the disease process and if interventions can be designed to alter the loads to influence the process. Recent studies have included the evaluation of a group exercise program on knee loads in OA, the effects of two different knee implant designs, and the changes in knee moments when using an ‘OA unloader’ brace. These studies are carried out using an Optotrack 3D motion tracking system and a pair of AMTI forces plates in a facility shared by physical educators, rehabilitation therapists, engineers and orthopedic surgeons.