Summary
The ABC synthetic anterior cruciate ligament (Surgicraft Ltd, Redditch, UK) is composed of polyester and carbon fibres combined in a partial braid. Following preconditioning this prosthesis exhibits mechanical compatibility with the natural anterior cruciate ligament and is intended for use as a biological scaffold for the ingrowth of autologous fibrous tissue.
In a retrospective study short term (mean folio v/ up of 16.6 ± 4.2 mths) results were assessed in 33 patients using functional, clinical and mechanical parameters. Additiona1 1 y, in a group ot 40 patients postoperative (5.5 ± 3.4 mths) arthroscopic assessment was performed to determine the role of surgical technique in the generation of a prosthesis healing/ingrowth reaction.
At the time ot follow up 25/29 of “sporting” patients had returned to full sporting activities. The mean score of ail 33 patients on the Lysholm scoring system was 97.2 ± 4.0% with 94% rating their performance as excellent-good. Objective mechanical testing of anterior drawer using a cruciometer showed a mean difference in cruciate laxity between operated and control contralateral knee of 2.3 ± 2.5nun.
Regarding prosthesis ‘healing’, patients who had ligaments approximated to, or covered with, autologous tissues at the time of implantation had statistically greater ingrowth than those implanted without such a manoeuvre (85% v 38%, P<0.001, Chi2).
The mechanical characteristics of the ABC ligament, the importance of surgical technique in the generation ot an adequate healing reaction and the role of this carbon fibre/dacron composite ligament in the prosthetic repair of anterior cruciate deficiency will be discussed.
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© 1989 Biomaterials Research Group
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O’Brien, T., Hughes, F., Strover, A., Mowbray, M., Shafighian, B. (1989). Prosthetic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction — Biomechanical and Functional Performance. In: Williams, K.R., Lesser, T.H.J. (eds) Proceedings of the First International Conference on Interfaces in Medicine and Mechanics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7477-0_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7477-0_3
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