Mechanics of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Its Contribution to Knee Kinematics

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as one of the major stabilizers of knee motion, is anatomically complex. Its inability to heal when torn often requires surgical reconstruction using biological tissues or artificial ligament replacements to achieve knee stability and appropriate kinematics for young and active patients. Yet, there is much debate as to which graft and reconstruction technique best emulate the natural ligament. To increase our knowledge of the function of the ACL in the knee joint, it is crucial to understand the tensile properties of the ligament as well as the its role in maintaining knee kinematics. This information should aid in the selection, design, and evaluation of ligament replacements and reconstruction techniques.

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Long-term evaluation of knee stability and function following surgical reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/036354658801600502 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 434-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 151

Author(s):

Rod A. Harter ◽

Louis R. Osternig ◽

Kenneth M. Singer ◽

Stanley L. James ◽

Robert L. Larson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Surgical Reconstruction ◽

Knee Stability ◽

Term Evaluation ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

And Function

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3D knee kinematics variability pre-operation versus post-operation in adolescence with Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury using functional principle component analysis

Internal Medicine Review ◽

10.18103/imr.v2i11.222 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Leila Ayoubian

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Reconstructive Surgery ◽

Principle Component Analysis ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Kinematics ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Knee Stability ◽

Principle Component ◽

Post Operation ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in adolescents have increased in the past decade. The goal of ACL reconstructive surgery is to restore knee stability, however apart from subjective manual testing, there is no objective method to assess the impact of the treatment on knee stability. In clinical biomechanics, decreased variability in three dimensional (3D) kinematic angles can be associated with increased stability of the joint in performing a movement. Typically, the study of variability of 3D knee kinematics proceeds by reducing what are intrinsically functional responses to a single discrete measurement (e.g. peak flexion angle). As a result, many potentially informative data is ignored.Aim: Prospective gait variability analysis pre- and 6 months post- ACL reconstructive surgery in adolescence patients using Principle Component Analysis (FPCA). Method: FPCA is a multivariate statistical data analysis technique that focuses on treating an entire dataset as functions. Twenty eight ACL adolescent patients pre- and post-operation walked on a treadmill and the 3D knee kinematics were collected (flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation angles). Functional Principle Component (FPCs) scores of the angle data were extracted to compare variability in gait. Repeated measures of ANOVA and box plots on FPC scores provided evidence of significant difference with decreased variability post-operation for both within-group and within-patients studies.Conclusion:Variability in the 3D knee kinematics have been significantly reduced six months post- versus pre-operation. The proposed functional objective assessment method suggests that ACL reconstructive surgery increases joint stability during walking in adolescents.

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Effects of Tunnel Location for Suture Augmentation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/sbc2009-206605 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew B. Fisher ◽

Ho-Joong Jung ◽

Patrick J. McMahon ◽

Savio L.-Y. Woo

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Surgical Reconstruction ◽

Ligament Injury ◽

Functional Tissue Engineering ◽

Alternative Approaches ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Active Patients

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is frequently injured, but it has limited healing potential. Surgical reconstruction using soft tissue autografts is often required for active patients. However, about 20–25% of patients have less than satisfactory results and some even developed of osteoarthritis in the long-term. Thus, there is a need for alternative approaches. With advances in functional tissue engineering, healing of the ACL using growth factors and/or bioscaffolds has generated new clinical interests [1].

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A Kinematic Analysis on an ACL Deficient Knee

Advances in Bioengineering ◽

10.1115/imece2002-32501 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea L. Kirkendall ◽

Juan M. Lopez ◽

Roger V. Gonzalez

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Control Strategy ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Injuries ◽

Surgical Reconstruction ◽

Small Populations ◽

Knee Stability ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Acl Deficient ◽

Deficient Knee

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the more frequently occurring knee injuries plaguing both athletes and the general population [1]. This injury typically results in severe knee instability thereby limiting the activities the injured is able to perform. Currently, surgical reconstruction is the most common option to restore knee stability and allow the injured subject to return to full functionality (i.e. participation in athletic and recreational activities as desired). However, small populations of individuals who rupture their ACL forego surgery yet still remain fully functional [2]. We hypothesize that these subjects, referred to as “copers”, alter the control strategy of the muscles crossing the knee joint to compensate for their ACL-deficient knee.

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