Effects of knee flexion on the structural properties of the rabbit femur-anterior cruciate ligament-tibia complex (FATC)

Woo, S. L.-Y.<sup>1</sup>; Hollis, J. M.<sup>1</sup>; Roux, R. D.<sup>1</sup>; Gomez, M. A.<sup>1</sup>; Inoue, M.<sup>1</sup>; Kleiner, J. B.<sup>1</sup>; Akeson, W. H.<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Orthopaedic Bioengineering Laboratory, Division of Orthopaedies and Rehabilitation, University of California, San Diego and Malcolm and Dorothy Coutts Institute for Joint Reconstruction and Research, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted to determine the biomechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The method of holding the femur-ACL-tibia complex (FATC) test specimen, the strain rate applied, the angle of knee flexion and the direction of the applied loads have an important effect on the outcome. It is felt that the tensile properties and strength of the ligament should be measured by applying the tensile force along the axis of the ligament. A versatile clamp was designed to accomplish this purpose. Fifty-seven rabbit knee specimens were tested at angles of flexion of 0°, 30° or 90°. In addition, a comparative study of 25 pairs of rabbit legs were performed, whereby loading was either along the ligament or along the tibial axis. Cyclic hysteresis, ultimate load, energy absorbed, and stiffness were determined.

The ultimate load values for the FATC decreased with increased knee flexion for those loaded along the tibial axis, while no such change was detected for FATC tested along the ligament axis. Other structural properties measured followed similar trends. It is concluded that the structural properties of the rabbit FATC change minimally with knee flexion (from 0 to 90°) when loaded along the ligament axis, but decrease significantly with knee flexion when loaded along the axis of the tibia. Therefore, the data obtained in this field of study can be compared only if the direction of loading with respect to the ACL is similar.

Links

DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(87)90277-6

PubMed: 3611132

WoS: A1987J043500001

History

Received: 1986-04-21

Revised: 1986-10-20

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Cited By (22)

Year	Entry
2003	Yamamoto S, Saito A, Nagasaka K, Sugimoto S, Mizuno K, Tanaka E, Kabayama M. The strain-rate dependence of mechanical properties of rabbit knee ligaments. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.
1991	Woo SL-Y, Hollis JM, Adams DJ, Lyon RM, Takai S. Tensile properties of the human femur-anterior cruciate ligament-tibia complex: the effects of specimen age and orientation. Am J Sports Med. 1991;19(3):217-225.
1993	Kwan MK, Lin TH-C, Woo SL-Y. On the viscoelastic properties of the anteromedial bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament. J Biomech. April–May 1993;26(4-5):447-452.
1993	Danto MI, Woo SL. The mechanical properties of skeletally mature rabbit anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon over a range of strain rates. J Orthop Res. January 1993;11(1):58-67.
1996	Panjabi MM, Yoldas E, Oxland TR, Crisco JJ III. Subfailure injury of the rabbit anterior cruciate ligament. J Orthop Res. March 1996;14(2):216-222.
2022	Cardona-Ramirez S, Cook JL, Stoker AM, Ma R. Small laboratory animal models of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Orthop Res. September 2022;40(9):1967-1980.
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