The biomechanical research on posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with anterior cruciate ligament allograft in rabbits / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the biomechanical properties of anterior cruciate ligament allograft reconstructing posterior cruciate ligament in rabbits. Methods Based on the study of anatomy and biomechanics of normal rabbit cruciate ligaments, anterior cruciate ligament allografts were employed to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament in rabbits. The sterilized fresh-frozen allograft of bone-anterior cruciate ligament-bone were prepared and reserved for more than 14 days under -80 ℃. Twenty-four skeletally matured New Zealand white rabbits underwent a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on one knee randomly, the opposite knee was served as the paired control. Rabbits were sacrificed at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks respectively. Evaluations of the reconstructions and contralateral controls included the geometric, structural and material properties and rupture site. Results The mean length of the grafts at 52 weeks was 101% of the control (P=0.90), the cross-sectional area was 142%; the maximum load at 52 weeks was 83% of the control, the maximum elongation was 72%, the stiffness was 92%; the maximum stress at 52 weeks was 58% of the control, the maximum strain was 72%, and the modulds was 65%; the rupture site was all at the body part of the graft. The geometric, structural and material properties of the graft were gradually similar to those of the normal posterior cruciate ligament with the elapse of the time. Conclusion The biomechanical properpies of graft with similar material properties to normal posterior cruciate ligament following posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rabbits was favourable. The similar material properties of graft to normal posterior cruciate ligament play the very important roles in the posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.