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Computer analysis of PCL fibres during range of motion

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

An understanding of the orientation of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fibres can contribute to current knowledge of PCL biomechanics and potentially improve the effectiveness of PCL surgical reconstruction. In this paper, the orientation of PCL fibres with respect to the tibia and femur was analysed by means of a new computer method. The antero-lateral (AL) and postero-medial (PM) bundles of the PCL showed an increasing slope with respect to the tibial plateau during flexion and a statistically significant difference between them (AL: 37–65°, PM: 47–60°). PCL bundles showed similar orientation with respect to the femur and varied 14° average during flexion. The study also measured 84° twisting of PCL bundles during passive range of motion.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. V. Pinskerova for her assistance in the acquisitions of anatomical data on the first samples used for these study. We are also grateful to the whole staff of the Biomechanics Laboratory, Mr. C. Carcasio for his technical support, Mr. G. Bernagozzi and Mr. M. Bonfiglioli for their text elaboration.

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  1. Centro di Ricerca “Codivilla-Putti’’, Laboratorio di Biomeccanica, Istituti Ortopedici, Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40139, Bologna, Italy

    Stefano Zaffagnini, Sandra Martelli, Leopoldo Garcia & Andrea Visani

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  1. Stefano Zaffagnini
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  2. Sandra Martelli
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  3. Leopoldo Garcia
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  4. Andrea Visani
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Correspondence to Stefano Zaffagnini.

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Zaffagnini, S., Martelli, S., Garcia, L. et al. Computer analysis of PCL fibres during range of motion. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 12, 420–428 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0502-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0502-z

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