Biomechanical comparison of two anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions

The biomechanical stabilities of two reconstruction procedures are compared. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of 12 paired cadaver knees is loaded and measured when intact, cut, and reconstructed. A typical load versus deflection curve for a knee is shown. When the ACL is severed a significant increase in deflection and decrease in stiffness are observed. Both surgical reconstructions provide a stiffer knee with decreased deflection compared to the severed ACL. Because there is no statistically significant difference between the intact and the reconstructed ACL for both procedures, these results show that immediately following surgery the patient will regain preinjury stability. On a paired basis, there is no difference between the reconstructions for stiffness and deflection.<>