LIGAMENT FORCES DURING ISOMETRIC CONTRACTIONS IN THE INTACT AND ACL-DEFICIENT KNEE

Abstract

A model of the knee in the sagittal plane was used to study the forces induced in the ligaments during maximum contractions of the quadriceps muscles. The geometry of the distal femur was obtained from cadaver data. The tibial plateau and patellar facet were modeled as flat surfaces. Eleven elastic elements were used to describe the mechanical behavior of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL). the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL). and the posterior capsule. The model knee was actuated by eleven musculotendinous units, each unit represented as a three-element muscle in series with tendon. During maximum isometric extension in the intact knee, the mod..