Abstract/Details

The biomechanics of the knee following injury and reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament

DeFrate, Louis E.   Massachusetts Institute of Technology ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,  2005. 0808122.

Abstract (summary)

Very little is known regarding the function of the posterior cruciate ligament in response to physiological loading conditions. A limited understanding of posterior cruciate ligament function might contribute to the poor clinical outcomes that are observed after reconstruction. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis were to quantify the biomechanical function of the posterior cruciate ligament both in-vitro and in-vivo and to investigate the effects of injury and reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament on knee joint biomechanics.

First, muscle loading conditions were simulated in cadavers to measure the effects of posterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction on knee joint kinematics and contact pressures. Next, the structural properties of the grafts used in posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were optimized using a theoretical model. In order to verify these results using an experimental model, an imaging system was developed to measure the strain distributions around the graft surface during tensile testing.

Finally, the deformation of the posterior cruciate ligament was studied in living subjects using imaging and solid modeling techniques. Three-dimensional models of the knee joint, including the insertion sites of the posterior cruciate ligament were created from magnetic resonance images. The subjects then flexed their knees as they were imaged using fluoroscopy from two orthogonal directions. The models and orthogonal images were imported into a solid modeling software and used to reproduce the kinematics of the knee as a function of flexion. From these models, the three-dimensional deformation of the posterior cruciate ligament insertion sites was measured. These data illustrated that the in-vivo function of the posterior cruciate ligament is different from that observed in in-vitro studies. Current surgical treatments of posterior cruciate ligament injuries do not account for the in-vivo function observed in this study.

In summary, this thesis quantified the biomechanical role of the posterior cruciate ligament in response to physiological loading conditions. In addition, grafts used to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament were optimized. These data provide valuable information for developing surgical treatments that recreate the in-vivo biomechanics of the posterior cruciate ligament. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)

Indexing (details)


Subject
Mechanical engineering;
Biomedical research;
Rehabilitation;
Therapy;
Biomedical engineering;
Physical therapy
Classification
0548: Mechanical engineering
0541: Biomedical engineering
0382: Physical therapy
0212: Therapy
Identifier / keyword
Health and environmental sciences; Applied sciences; Biomechanics; Knee; Ligaments; Posterior cruciate ligament; Reconstruction; Soft tissue biomechanics; Tendon
Title
The biomechanics of the knee following injury and reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament
Author
DeFrate, Louis E.
Number of pages
0
Degree date
2005
School code
0753
Source
DAI-A 81/1(E), Dissertation Abstracts International
Advisor
Li, Guoan; Rowell, Derek
University/institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University location
United States -- Massachusetts
Degree
Sc.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
0808122
ProQuest document ID
305363740
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/docview/305363740