[Biomechanical studies of the ligaments of the knee joint (anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament) using amputated limbs].

In order to study the biomechanical behavior of the ligaments around the knee joint (anterior cruciate ligament-ACL and medial collateral ligament-MCL), experiments were carried out using ten human amputated specimens. Specially designed small omega-shaped transducers were attached on the selected surface of the ligaments, and elongation of the ligaments were measured under valgus or anterior drawer stress in various flexion or rotation of the joint which was made by specific jig sets. The results showed that the load-elongation response varied depending on the sites of the ligaments and that the anterior instability caused by transection of the ACL gave definite effect on the strain behavior of the MCL and, vice versa, the medial instability caused by transection of the MCL gave considerable effect on that of the ACL. This experiment demonstrated a quantitative relationship between these ligaments which suggests the clinical importance of these ligaments for the knee joint stability.