Inhibition of anterior tibial translation or axial tibial rotation prevents anterior cruciate ligament failure during impact compression

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament injury is prevalent in activities involving large and rapid landing impact loads. Hypothesis: Inhibition of anterior tibial translation/axial tibial rotation forestalls the ligament from failing at the range of peak compressive load that can induce ligament failure when both factors are unrestrained. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixteen porcine knee specimens were mounted onto a material testing system at 70° of flexion and were divided into 4 test groups: impact compression without restraint (IC), anterior tibial translation restraint (ICA), axial tibial rotation restraint (ICR), and combination of both restraints (ICC). Compress..