Load and length changes in an artificial ligament substitute. 10 cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

In 10 patients who had reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, the load and length changes in an artificial ligament substitute were measured during passive knee motion. Using a special drill guide, the ligament was placed within +/- 2 mm of the normal anatomic center on the femur. With the femoral end fixed with a bicortical screw the ligament was preloaded to 40 N at the flexion angle with the shortest intraarticular ligament length, usually 45 degrees. The change in load was then registered from 90 degrees of flexion to full extension. In 2/10 cases loads of > 200 N were registered in full extension, but the mean load was 160 N. There was a higher loss of load during the first extension/flexion cycle than during the 4th cycle. The load change correlated to the length change, but the degree of length change could not predict the maximum load level. There was a large variation in load levels between different knees, even with similar ligament placements, but the least change in load and length was obtained by an anatomic placement. Isometer readings did not predict the load level in the ligament substitute, but could indicate the angle of flexion with minimum load. Therefore, the isometer can be used to control the placement of the attachment points for the substitute. After fixation, fiber settling and stretching the ligament, as well as adaptation of the tissues, will tend to reduce the load levels.