Elsevier

Journal of Biomechanics

Volume 6, Issue 6, November 1973, Pages 587-592, IN1-IN4, 593-596
Journal of Biomechanics

The effects of flexion and rotation on the length patterns of the ligaments of the knee

https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(73)90016-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the lengths of the ligaments in human knee joint specimens. The ligaments considered were the lateral collateral, medial collateral, anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate. The ligament length patterns were determined for twelve specimens at flexions of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120°, in neutral, internal rotation and external rotation at each angle. The collateral ligaments steadily diminished by about 20 per cent in length from 0 to 120° flexion, rotation having little effect. The anterior cruciate gradually increased 10 per cent from 0 to 120° flexion and the posterior cruciate, was 10 per cent longer at 0° flexion than at all other angles for which length was constant. The action of the cruciates was therefore somewhat reciprocal. Rotation had a significant effect on cruciate lengths, affecting the anterior more than the posterior cruciate. Computations were made of the change in length of the anterior and posterior fibres of each cruciate ligament, in relation to the central fibres. Reciprocal functions between fibres were demonstrated.

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Affiliated to the New York Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, New York, U.S.A.

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