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In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Li, G; DeFrate, LE; Sun, H; Gill, TJ
Published in: Am J Sports Med
September 2004

BACKGROUND: Most knowledge regarding cruciate ligament function is based on in vitro experiments. PURPOSE: To investigate the in vivo elongation of the functional bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during weightbearing flexion. HYPOTHESIS: The biomechanical role of functional bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament under in vivo loading is different from that measured in cadavers. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo biomechanical study. METHODS: Elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament was measured during a quasi-static lunge using imaging and 3-dimensional computer-modeling techniques. RESULTS: The anterior-medial bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament had a relatively constant length from full extension to 90 degrees of flexion. The posterior-lateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament decreased in length with flexion. Both bundles of the posterior cruciate ligament had increased lengths with flexion. CONCLUSION: The data did not demonstrate the reciprocal function of the 2 bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament or the posterior cruciate ligament with flexion observed in previous studies. Instead, the data suggest that there is a reciprocal function between the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament with flexion. The anterior cruciate ligament plays a more important role in low-flexion angles, whereas the posterior cruciate ligament plays a more important role in high flexion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the biomechanical role of the knee ligaments in vivo is essential to reproduce the structural behavior of the ligament after injury (especially for 2-bundle reconstructions) and thus improve surgical outcomes.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

September 2004

Volume

32

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1415 / 1420

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight-Bearing
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Orthopedics
  • Movement
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Knee Joint
  • Knee Injuries
  • Humans
  • Computer Simulation
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Li, G., DeFrate, L. E., Sun, H., & Gill, T. J. (2004). In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion. Am J Sports Med, 32(6), 1415–1420. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503262175
Li, Guoan, Louis E. DeFrate, Hao Sun, and Thomas J. Gill. “In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion.Am J Sports Med 32, no. 6 (September 2004): 1415–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503262175.
Li G, DeFrate LE, Sun H, Gill TJ. In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion. Am J Sports Med. 2004 Sep;32(6):1415–20.
Li, Guoan, et al. “In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion.Am J Sports Med, vol. 32, no. 6, Sept. 2004, pp. 1415–20. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/0363546503262175.
Li G, DeFrate LE, Sun H, Gill TJ. In vivo elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament during knee flexion. Am J Sports Med. 2004 Sep;32(6):1415–1420.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

September 2004

Volume

32

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1415 / 1420

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight-Bearing
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Orthopedics
  • Movement
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Knee Joint
  • Knee Injuries
  • Humans
  • Computer Simulation
  • Biomechanical Phenomena