Transverse ligament failure: a biomechanical study.

We investigated the biomechanical properties of the transverse ligament by simulating an anteroposterior shear injury mechanism. The ligament was tested in isolation. All secondary restraints and any interference from articular mass geometry were eliminated. In all, 13 specimens were tested. Eleven failed within the substance of the ligament, and two failed by bone avulsion. The mean load to failure was 692 N (range, 220-1590 N). The displacement to failure was 6.7 mm (2-14 mm). The measured values of load to failure agree with previous reports; however, the displacement to failure exhibited a broader range than expected.