An in vitro study of anterior cruciate ligament strain induced by quadriceps and hamstrings forces

Strain in the anteromedial fibers of the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL(am)] was studied in six cadaver knees. ACL(am) strain was measured in five knees during the application of isometric quadriceps forces alone and simultaneously applied isometric quadriceps and hamstrings forces at 10° increments from 0° to 90° of knee flexion. ACL(am) strain during muscle loading was measured with respect to the ACL(am) strain measured with the knee in its resting position (neutral or near neutral position). A sixth knee was used to investigate the reproducibility of the resting position and quadriceps‐induced ACL(am) strains. The strains induced in the ACL(am) by the quadriceps were significantly greater than 0 at knee flexion angles from 0 to 40° and not significantly different from 0 for 50 to 90° The ACL(am) strains induced by simultaneously applied hamstrings and quadriceps forces were not significantly different from 0 at any of the knee flexion angles tested. Simultaneously applied hamstrings and quadriceps forces significantly reduced ACL(am) strain at 10, 20, and 90° of knee flexion compared to the ACL(am) strain induced by quadriceps forces alone. The hamstrings are potentially capable of both significantly reducing and negating quadriceps‐induced ACL(am) strain at 10 and 20° of knee flexion.

[1]  P. Walker,et al.  The effects of flexion and rotation on the length patterns of the ligaments of the knee. , 1973, Journal of biomechanics.

[2]  T D Brown,et al.  Dynamic performance characteristics of the liquid metal strain gage. , 1986, Journal of biomechanics.

[3]  K. H. Chan,et al.  In‐vitro ligament tension pattern in the flexed knee in passive loading , 1987, Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

[4]  F. Noyes,et al.  Biomechanics of the knee-extension exercise. Effect of cutting the anterior cruciate ligament. , 1984, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[5]  T P Andriacchi,et al.  Interaction between intrinsic knee mechanics and the knee extensor mechanism , 1987, Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

[6]  S. Liljedahl,et al.  Clinical and experimental experience in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. , 1976, The Orthopedic clinics of North America.

[7]  K. Markolf,et al.  Stiffness and laxity of the knee--the contributions of the supporting structures. A quantitative in vitro study. , 1976, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[8]  O. Brantigan,et al.  THE MECHANICS OF THE LIGAMENTS AND MENISCI OF THE KNEE JOINT , 1941 .

[9]  R. Warren,et al.  An in vitro biomechanical evaluation of anterior-posterior motion of the knee. Tibial displacement, rotation, and torque. , 1982, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[10]  R. Warren,et al.  Medial restraints to anterior-posterior motion of the knee. , 1984, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[11]  L. Yocum,et al.  The deranged knee: restoration of function , 1978, The American journal of sports medicine.

[12]  F. Noyes,et al.  Ligamentous restraints to anterior-posterior drawer in the human knee. A biomechanical study. , 1980, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[13]  K. Markolf,et al.  The role of joint load in knee stability. , 1981, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[14]  N. Berme,et al.  On the construction, circuitry and properties of liquid metal strain gages. , 1988, Journal of Biomechanics.

[15]  G. Smidt Biomechanical analysis of knee flexion and extension. , 1973, Journal of biomechanics.

[16]  K Yasuda,et al.  Exercise after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The force exerted on the tibia by the separate isometric contractions of the quadriceps or the hamstrings. , 1987, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[17]  F R Noyes,et al.  Knee rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and repair , 1981, The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy.

[18]  E. Eriksson,et al.  The biomechanics of anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation and reconstruction , 1984, The American journal of sports medicine.

[19]  P. Renström,et al.  Strain within the anterior cruciate ligament during hamstring and quadriceps activity* , 1986, The American journal of sports medicine.

[20]  J. Kennedy,et al.  The anatomy and function of the anterior cruciate ligament. As determined by clinical and morphological studies. , 1974, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[21]  F. Girgis,et al.  The anterior cruciate ligament. A functional analysis based on postmortem studies. , 1976, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.