Effect of the posterior cruciate ligament on posterior stability of the knee in high flexion.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Most biomechanical studies of the knee have focused on knee flexion angles between 0 degrees and 120 degrees. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has been shown to constrain posterior laxity of the knee in this range of flexion. However, little is known about PCL function in higher flexion angles (greater than 120 degrees ). This in vitro study examined knee kinematics before and after cutting the PCL at high flexion under a posterior tibial load and various muscle loads. The results demonstrated that although the PCL plays an important role in constraining posterior tibial translation at low flexion angles, the PCL had little effect in constraining tibial translation at 150 degrees of flexion under the applied loads.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Li, G; Most, E; DeFrate, LE; Suggs, JF; Gill, TJ; Rubash, HE

Published Date

  • May 2004

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 37 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 779 - 783

PubMed ID

  • 15047008

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0021-9290

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2003.09.031

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States