Anterior Cruciate Ligament Forces Research Articles

Contribution of ankle motion pattern during landing to reduce the knee-related injury risk

BackgroundSingle-leg landing (SL) is an essential technique in sports such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball, which is often associated with a high risk of knee-related injury. The ankle motion pattern plays a crucial role in absorbing the load shocks during SL, but the effect on the knee joint is not yet clear. This work aims to explore the effects of different ankle plantarflexion angles during SL on the risk of knee-related injury. MethodsThirty healthy male subjects were recruited to perform SL biomechanics tests, and one standard subject was selected to develop the finite element model of foot-ankle-knee integration. The joint impact force was used to evaluate the impact loads on the knee at various landing angles. The internal load forces (musculoskeletal modeling) and stress (finite element analysis) around the knee joint were simulated and calculated to evaluate the risk of knee-related injury during SL. To more realistically revert and simulate the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury mechanics, we developed a knee musculoskeletal model that reverts the ACL ligament to a nonlinear short-term viscoelastic mechanical mechanism (strain rate-dependent) generated by the dense connective tissue as a function of strain. ResultsAs the ankle plantarflexion angle increased during landing, both the peak knee vertical impact force (p = 0.001) and ACL force (p = 0.001) decreased significantly. The maximum von Mises stress of ACL, meniscus, and femoral cartilage decreased as the ankle plantarflexion angle increased. The overall range of variation in ACL stress was small and was mainly distributed in the femoral and tibial attachment regions, as well as in the mid-lateral region. ConclusionThe current findings revealed that the use of larger ankle plantarflexion angles during landing may be an effective solution to reduce knee impact load and the risk of rupture of the medial femoral attachment area in the ACL. The findings of this study have the potential to offer novel perspectives in the optimized application of landing strategies, thus giving crucial theoretical backing for decreasing the risk of knee-related injury.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Force and Strain in Males and Females during Anticipated and Unanticipated Side-Stepping

Females have a greater number of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries per activity hours than males. The cause of this injury rate is speculated to be an increased strain on the ACL in performing a side-stepping manoeuvre. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of ACL force and strain and the knee angle at initial foot contact during anticipated and unanticipated side-stepping. 12 male and 12 female, young, healthy, college-age, athletes were recruited for this study. 3D kinematics and kinetics were collected in each of anticipated and unanticipated conditions. A computational musculo-skeletal model was used to estimate the ACL force and strain. No differences were found between males and females in any of the ACL or knee angle parameters (P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in ACL force and strain between anticipated and unanticipated side-stepping conditions with unanticipated force and strain greater than in the anticipated condition (P<0.05). These results support previous evidence that athletes may be at greater risk of injury during sidestepping tasks where planning time is reduced due to greater elongation of the ACL. Future research should focus upon investigating tasks to mitigate the high-risk strategies athletes use during unanticipated sports tasks.

Statistical shape analysis and computational modeling reveal novel relationships between tibiofemoral bony geometry and knee mechanics in young, female athletes

Young female athletes participating in sports requiring rapid changes of direction are at heightened risk of suffering traumatic knee injury, especially noncontact rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Clinical studies have revealed that geometric features of the tibiofemoral joint are associated with increased risk of suffering noncontact ACL injury. However, the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) tibiofemoral geometry and knee mechanics in young female athletes is not well understood. We developed a statistically augmented computational modeling workflow to determine relationships between 3D geometry of the knee and tibiofemoral kinematics and ACL force in response to an applied loading sequence of compression, valgus, and anterior force, which is known to load the ACL. This workflow included 3D characterization of tibiofemoral bony geometry via principal component analysis and multibody dynamics models incorporating subject-specific knee geometries. A combination of geometric features of both the tibia and the femur that spanned all three anatomical planes was related to increased ACL force and to increased kinematic coupling (i.e., anterior, medial, and distal tibial translations and internal tibial rotation) in response to the applied loads. In contrast, a uniplanar measure of tibiofemoral geometry that is associated with ACL injury risk, sagittal plane slope of the lateral tibial plateau subchondral bone, was not related to ACL force. Thus, our workflow may aid in developing mechanics-based ACL injury screening tools for young, active females based on a unique combination of bony geometric features that are related to increased ACL loading.

New Insights Optimize Landing Strategies to Reduce Lower Limb Injury Risk.

Single-leg landing (SL) is often associated with a high injury risk, especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and lateral ankle sprain. This work investigates the relationship between ankle motion patterns (ankle initial contact angle [AICA] and ankle range of motion [AROM]) and the lower limb injury risk during SL, and proposes an optimized landing strategy that can reduce the injury risk. To more realistically revert and simulate the ACL injury mechanics, we developed a knee musculoskeletal model that reverts the ACL ligament to a nonlinear short-term viscoelastic mechanical mechanism (strain rate-dependent) generated by the dense connective tissue as a function of strain. Sixty healthy male subjects were recruited to collect biomechanics data during SL. The correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between AICA, AROM, and peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF), joint total energy dissipation (TED), peak ankle knee hip sagittal moment, peak ankle inversion angle (PAIA), and peak ACL force (PAF). AICA exhibits a negative correlation with PVGRF (r = -0.591) and PAF (r = -0.554), and a positive correlation with TED (r = 0.490) and PAIA (r = 0.502). AROM exhibits a positive correlation with TED (r = 0.687) and PAIA (r = 0.600). The results suggested that the appropriate increases in AICA (30° to 40°) and AROM (50° to 70°) may reduce the lower limb injury risk. This study has the potential to offer novel perspectives on the optimized application of landing strategies, thus giving the crucial theoretical basis for decreasing injury risk.

Accurately and effectively predict the ACL force: Utilizing biomechanical landing pattern before and after-fatigue

Background and ObjectiveAs a fundamental exercise technique, landing can commonly be associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, especially during after-fatigue single-leg landing (SL). Presently, the inability to accurately detect ACL loading makes it difficult to recognize the risk degree of ACL injury, which reduces the effectiveness of injury prevention and sports monitoring. Increased risk of ACL injury during after-fatigue SL may be related to changes in ankle motion patterns. Therefore, this study aims to develop a highly accurate and easily implemented ACL force prediction model by combining deep learning and the explored relationship between ACL force and ankle motion pattern. MethodsFirst, 56 subjects' during before and after-fatigue SL data were collected to explore the relationship between the ankle initial contact angle (AIC), ankle range of motion (AROM) and peak ACL force (PAF). Then, the musculoskeletal model was developed to simulate and calculate the ACL force. Finally, the ACL force prediction model was constructed by combining the explored relationship and sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to optimize the extreme learning machine (ELM) and long short-term memory (LSTM). ResultsThere was almost a stronger linear relationship between the PAF and AIC (R = −0.70), AROM (R2 = −0.61). By substituting AIC and AROM as independent variables in the SSA-ELM prediction model, the model shows excellent prediction performance because of very strong correlation (R2 = 0.9992, MSE = 0.0023, RMSE = 0.0474). Based on the equal scaling by combining results of SSA-ELM and SSA-LSTM, the prediction model achieves excellent performance in ACL force prediction of the overall waveform (R2 = 0.9947, MSE = 0.0076, RMSE = 0.0873). ConclusionBy increasing the AIC and AROM during SL, the lower limb joint energy dissipation can be increased and the PAF reduced, thus reducing the impact loads on the lower limb joints and reducing ACL injuries. The proposed ACL dynamic load force prediction model has low input variable demands (sagittal joint angles), excellent generalization capabilities and superior performance in terms of high accuracy. In the future, we plan to use it as an accurate ACL injury risk assessment tool to promote and apply it to a wider range of sports training and injury monitoring.

Musculoskeletal multibody dynamics investigation for the different medial-lateral installation position of the femoral component in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

The surgical installation accuracy of the components in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an important factor affecting the joint function and the implant life. Taking the ratio of the medial-lateral position of the femoral component relative to the tibial insert (a/A) as a parameter, and considering nine installation conditions of the femoral component, this study established the musculoskeletal multibody dynamics models of UKA to simulate the patients' walking gait, and investigated the influences of the medial-lateral installation positions of the femoral component in UKA on the contact force, joint motion and ligament force of the knee joint. The results showed that, with the increase of a/A ratio, the medial contact force of the UKA implant was decreased and the lateral contact force of the cartilage was increased; the varus rotation, external rotation and posterior translation of the knee joint were increased; and the anterior cruciate ligament force, posterior cruciate ligament force and medial collateral ligament force were decreased. The medial-lateral installation positions of the femoral component in UKA had little effect on knee flexion-extension movement and lateral collateral ligament force. When the a/A ratio was less than or equalled to 0.375, the femoral component collided with the tibia. In order to prevent the overload on the medial implant and lateral cartilage, the excessive ligament force, and the collision between the femoral component and the tibia, it is suggested that the a/A ratio should be controlled within the range of 0.427-0.688 when the femoral component is installed in UKA. This study provides a reference for the accurate installation of the femoral component in UKA.

Bayesian Calibration of Computational Knee Models to Estimate Subject-Specific Ligament Properties, Tibiofemoral Kinematics, and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Force With Uncertainty Quantification.

High-grade knee laxity is associated with early anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failure, poor function, and compromised clinical outcome. Yet, the specific ligaments and ligament properties driving knee laxity remain poorly understood. We described a Bayesian calibration methodology for predicting unknown ligament properties in a computational knee model. Then, we applied the method to estimate unknown ligament properties with uncertainty bounds using tibiofemoral kinematics and ACL force measurements from two cadaver knees that spanned a range of laxities; these knees were tested using a robotic manipulator. The unknown ligament properties were from the Bayesian set of plausible ligament properties, as specified by their posterior distribution. Finally, we developed a calibrated predictor of tibiofemoral kinematics and ACL force with their own uncertainty bounds. The calibrated predictor was developed by first collecting the posterior draws of the kinematics and ACL force that are induced by the posterior draws of the ligament properties and model parameters. Bayesian calibration identified unique ligament slack lengths for the two knee models and produced ACL force and kinematic predictions that were closer to the corresponding in vitro measurement than those from a standard optimization technique. This Bayesian framework quantifies uncertainty in both ligament properties and model outputs; an important step towards developing subject-specific computational models to improve treatment for ACL injury.

Limiting the Use of Electromyography and Ground Reaction Force Data Changes the Magnitude and Ranking of Modelled Anterior Cruciate Ligament Forces

Neuromusculoskeletal models often require three-dimensional (3D) body motions, ground reaction forces (GRF), and electromyography (EMG) as input data. Acquiring these data in real-world settings is challenging, with barriers such as the cost of instruments, setup time, and operator skills to correctly acquire and interpret data. This study investigated the consequences of limiting EMG and GRF data on modelled anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) forces during a drop-land-jump task in late-/post-pubertal females. We compared ACL forces generated by a reference model (i.e., EMG-informed neural mode combined with 3D GRF) to those generated by an EMG-informed with only vertical GRF, static optimisation with 3D GRF, and static optimisation with only vertical GRF. Results indicated ACL force magnitude during landing (when ACL injury typically occurs) was significantly overestimated if only vertical GRF were used for either EMG-informed or static optimisation neural modes. If 3D GRF were used in combination with static optimisation, ACL force was marginally overestimated compared to the reference model. None of the alternative models maintained rank order of ACL loading magnitudes generated by the reference model. Finally, we observed substantial variability across the study sample in response to limiting EMG and GRF data, indicating need for methods incorporating subject-specific measures of muscle activation patterns and external loading when modelling ACL loading during dynamic motor tasks.

A facile inverse dynamics method to study the impacts of fatigue on the lower limb biomechanics

ABSTRACT Fatigue can significantly affect the biomechanics of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during single-legged jumping, and these changes are closely related to ACL injuries. Unfortunately, there is no convenient way to accurately and quickly track these changes. This present study aimed to develop such a method based on video capture and inverse dynamics simulation.Are our method’s results accurate and reliable? Fifteen participants performed sing-legged jumping before and after the fatigue protocol, and their actions were videotaped. The videos were processed and converted to marked motion data, used to drive the mannequin model in AnyBody Modelling System (AMS) for the inverse dynamics simulations. The ACL segment was also constructed based on one participant’s MRI data and added the mannequin model.Our results were similar to the findings from previous studies. Neuromuscular fatigue decreased the peak flexion angles and increased the low-the-limb muscle strength and activation. These alterations might contribute to ACL tears and ruptures. In addition, the simulation showed that the ACL force significantly (p < 0.05) increased as a result of fatigue during single-legged jumping. Our study provides a facile and reliable method to study the effects of neuromuscular fatigue on lower-the-limb biomechanics. Such a method can be applied to investigate other risk factors on ACL injuries and assist in developing workable plans for athlete training in the future.

Increasing the posterior tibial slopelowers in situ forces in the native ACL primarily at deep flexion angles.

High tibial osteotomy is becoming increasingly popular but can be associated with unintentional posterior tibial slope (PTS) increase and subsequent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) degeneration. This study quantified the effect of increasing PTS on knee kinematics and in situ forces in the native ACL. A robotic testing system was used to apply external loads from full extension to 90° flexion to sevenhuman cadaveric knees: (1) 200 N axial compressive load, (2) 5 Nm internal tibial + 10 Nm valgus torque, and (3) 5 Nm external tibial + 10 Nm varus torque. Kinematics and in situ forces in the ACL were acquired for the native and increased PTS state. Increasing PTSresulted in increased anterior tibial translation at 30° (1.8 mm), 60° (1.7 mm), and 90° (0.9 mm) flexion and reduced in situ force in the ACL at 30° (57.6%), 60° (69.8%), and 90° (75.0%) flexion in response to 200 N axial compressive load. In response to 5 Nm internal tibial + 10 Nm valgus torque, there was significantly less (39.0%) in situ force in the ACL at 90° flexion in the increased compared with the native PTS state. Significantly less in situ force in the ACL at 60° (62.8%) and 90° (67.0%) flexion was observed in the increased compared with the native PTS state in response to 5 Nm external tibial + 10 Nm varus torque. Increasing PTSaffects knee kinematics and results in a reduction of in situ forces in the native ACL during compressive and rotatory loads at flexion angles exceeding 30°. In a controlled laboratory setting PTS increase unloads the ACL, affecting its natural function.

Effect of different landing actions on knee joint biomechanics of female college athletes: Based on opensim simulation.

Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most injurious parts of the knee in the biomechanical environment during landing actions. The purpose of this study was to compare the lower limb differences in movement patterns, muscle forces and ACL forces during drop landing (DL), drop vertical jump (DVJ) and forward vertical jump (FVJ). Methods: Eleven basketball and volleyball female college athletes (Division II and I) were recruited. Landing actions of DL, DVJ and FVJ, kinematics and dynamics data were collected synchronously using a motion capture system. OpenSim was used to calculate the ACL load, knee joint angle and moment, and muscle force. Results: At initial contact, different landing movements influenced knee flexion angle; DL action was significantly less than FVJ action (p = 0.046). Different landing actions affected quadriceps femoris forces; FVJ was significantly greater than DL and DVJ actions (p = 0.002 and p = 0.037, respectively). However, different landing movements had no significant effects on other variables (knee extension moment, knee valgus angle and moment, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle forces, and ACL forces) (p > 0.050). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the knee valgus, knee valgus moment, and the ACL forces between the three landing actions. However, knee flexion angle, knee extension moments sagittal factors, and quadriceps and gastrocnemius forces are critical factors for ACL injury. The DL action had a significantly smaller knee flexion angle, which may increase the risk of ACL injury, and not recommended to assess the risk of ACL injuries. The FVJ action had a larger knee flexion angle and higher quadriceps femoris forces that were more in line with daily training and competition needs. Therefore, it is recommended to use FVJ action in future studies on risk assessment of ACL injuries and injury prevention in female college athletes.

Anterior Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using Patient-Specific Cutting Guide in Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient Knees

An increased posterior tibial slope has been identified as an independent risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, with a critical threshold of 12°. Surgical slope correction by anterior closing wedge (ACW)-high tibial osteotomy (HTO) can reduce ACL force and anterior tibial translation with good clinical outcomes when combined with revision ACL reconstruction. Performing ACW-HTO preserving the tibial tubercule can be challenging for inexperienced surgeons. Patient-specific cutting guides have been shown to be effective in facilitating the surgeon's learning curve in medial opening wedge-HTO by reducing operative time and the use of fluoroscopy as well as decreasing anxiety. The present technique describes a retro-tibial tubercule ACW-HTO using a patient-specific cutting guide.

Influences of Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tensional Force and Kinematic Stability During Walking.

Injuries in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), including partial tear and lengthening of the ACL, change the dynamic function of the knee. However, there is a lack of information on the effect of ACL partial tear on knee kinematics during walking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of ACL injuries on knee stability and ACL tensional force to identify the critical injury level. Motion data of five normal subjects were acquired along with the ground reaction force. A knee model with 14 ligaments was developed using cadaveric specimen data. The initial length and stiffness of the ACL were changed to develop ACL-injured knee models. Musculoskeletal simulations of the knee models were performed using the measured gait data. The average tibial anterior translation increased significantly by 2.6 ± 0.7 mm when the ACL stiffness decreased to 25% of its original stiffness. The average tibial anterior translation increased significantly by 2.6 ± 0.3 mm at an increase in initial length of 10%. The knee with partial ACL tear had a nonlinear decrease in ACL forces owing to the increase in the level of ACL injury, while the knee with ACL lengthening had linear decreased ACL forces. The partial tear of the ACL caused translational instability, while the complete tear caused both rotational and translational instabilities during the musculoskeletal walking simulation. This study presents the effects of partial ACL injuries on joint kinematics and ACL tensional force during the dynamic motion of walking.

Determine the vertical ground reaction forces and knee mechanics with different gait inclinations in the sheep model.

Our current understanding of knee mechanics and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) function is predominately based on data recorded during simulations of clinical examinations or the application of nonphysiologic loads and motions. These methodologies provide little information on knee and ACL mechanics during activities of daily living (ADLs). Additionally, researchers have not directly measured knee kinetics, knee contact pressures, and ACL forces, and it is unknown how these parameters change with different activities. This study quantified the effects of activity level on vertical ground reaction forces, knee kinematics, and joint and ligament forces during in vivo motions. Five female Suffolk sheep were walked twice weekly on a treadmill during level (0°), inclined (+6°), and declined (-6°) gait for 12 weeks. Electromagnetic (EM) trackers were surgically implanted onto the left distal femur and the left proximal tibia, and in vivo motions were recorded for all activities. Following sacrifice, the in vivo motions were applied to their respective knees using a serial robot with a multi-axis load cell. In vitro simulations were repeated to measure (a) total knee forces, (b) contact pressure maps, and (c) ACL-only forces. Declining the gait surface led to increased posterior translation during the swing phase and decreased flexion at hoof-strike, decreased medial contact pressure at push-off, decreased ACL force at hoof-strike and increased ACL force at push-off. This study established a system that can be used to examine knee mechanics and ACL forces during ADLs for different knee states to define design requirements for ACL reconstruction techniques.

Effects of Footwear on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Forces during Landing in Young Adult Females.

Rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in young people have increased markedly over the past two decades, with females experiencing greater growth in their risk compared to males. In this study, we determined the effects of low- and high-support athletic footwear on ACL loads during a standardized drop–land–lateral jump in 23 late-/post-pubertal females. Each participant performed the task unshod, wearing low- (Zaraca, ASICS) or high- (Kayano, ASICS) support shoes (in random order), and three-dimensional body motions, ground-reaction forces, and surface electromyograms were synchronously acquired. These data were then used in a validated computational model of ACL loading. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping paired t-tests were used to compare ACL loads between footwear conditions during the stance phase of the task. Participants generated lower ACL forces during push-off when shod (Kayano: 624 N at 71–84% of stance; Zaraca: 616 N at 68–86% of stance) compared to barefoot (770 N and 740 N, respectively). No significant differences in ACL force were observed between the task performed wearing low- compared to high-support shoes. Compared to barefoot, both shoe types significantly lowered push-off phase peak ACL forces, potentially lowering risk of ACL injury during performance of similar tasks in sport and recreation.

Biomechanical Analysis of Tibial Motion and ACL Graft Forces After ACLR with and without let at Varying Tibial Slopes

Background:Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) is being performed with increasing frequency in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) as a way to decrease rotational instability and graft failure rates, especially in young, active patients. The degree of posterior tibial slope has been shown to affect ACL graft failure rates.1 The effect of LET plus ACLRs on tibial motion and graft forces in the setting of varying tibial slopes has not been elucidated.Hypothesis/Purpose:LET will decrease tibial translation, tibial rotation, and ACL graft forces compared to ACLR alone with increasing tibial slope throughout knee range of motion.Methods:Twelve cadaveric knees (40.5 mean age, all female) were tested in 4 conditions (1: intact; 2: ACLR; 3: ACLR + LET; and 4: ACL cut) with varying posterior tibial slopes (5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°) at three flexion angles (0°, 30, ° and 60°). Specimens were mounted to a load frame which applied a 500-N axial load with 1 N-M of internal rotation torque (Figure 1). The amount of tibial translation was measured using a laser sensor and rotation was measured along the axis of the load frame. ACL graft forces were measured via a force transducer.Results:No clinically relevant difference was found in graft force (all differences <6.8 N, except the 5° posterior tibial slope at 30° of flexion showing a 12.1 N reduction with LET), anterior tibial translation (all differences <2.4 mm), or internal rotation (all differences < 1.59°). Compared to the intact state, the cut ACL state had higher anterior tibial translation (maximum increase +9.1 mm at slope 20°, Flexion 60°) and internal rotation (maximum increase +4.3° at slope 5°, flexion 30°). Higher ACL graft forces were observed with increasing posterior tibial slope (ACLR graft force at 0° of flexion was 81.6 N at 5°, 97.8 N at 10°, 107.0 N at 15°, 113.9 N at 20° of slope). Figure 2 shows ACL graft forces in N, Figure 3 shows anterior tibial translation in mm and Figure 4 shows internal rotation in degrees. All figures present data at 30°of flexion.Conclusion:No clinically relevant difference was shown with the addition of LET in the setting of ACLR for patients with posterior tibial slopes from 5° to 20° at flexion angles of 0°, 30°, and 60° in regards to graft force, anterior tibial translation, and internal tibial rotation under a 500 N compressive load.Figure 1.AP and Posteromedial views of the testing specimen mounted on load frameFigure 2.ACL Graft Force at 500N compression at Flexion 30° for ACLR (Red) vs ACLR+LET (Blue) states at varying posterior tibial slopes (5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°)Figure 3.Anterior Tibial Translation at Flexion 30° for all states (Intact (blue), ACLR+LET (red), ACLR (green), ACL cut (orange)) at varying posterior tibial slopes (5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°)Figure 4.Internal Tibial Rotation at Flexion 30° for all states (Intact (blue), ACLR+LET (red), ACLR (green), ACL cut (orange)) at varying posterior tibial slopes (5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°)Reference:1. Bernhardson AS, Aman ZS, Dornan GJ, et al. Tibial Slope and Its Effect on Force in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Grafts: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Force Increases Linearly as Posterior Tibial Slope Increases. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(2):296-302. doi:10.1177/0363546518820302

EFFECTS OF A PROPHYLACTIC KNEE SLEEVE ON THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT AND LOWER EXTREMITY BIOMECHANICS: AN EXAMINATION USING MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION

The current study aimed using a two-experiment musculoskeletal simulation-based approach, measuring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) biomechanics, knee joint kinematics, and lower extremity joint loading to examine the effects of both a prophylactic knee sleeve on (1) a sport-specific change of direction movement in female footballers and (2) a single leg landing in male footballers. Experiment 1 examined 12 female university first team level footballers (age [Formula: see text] years, height [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, body mass [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kg) undertaking a [Formula: see text] cutting movement in sleeve and no-sleeve conditions. Experiment 2 examined 10 male university first team level footballers (age [Formula: see text] years, height [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, body mass [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kg) undertaking a single leg drop jump landing in sleeve and no-sleeve conditions. In each experiment, data was collected in a biomechanics laboratory and three-dimensional (3D) motion capture and ground reaction force (GRF) information was collected. 3D kinematics, 3D knee kinetics, and ACL ligament forces/strains were measured using musculoskeletal simulation, and participants were also asked to subjectively rate the knee sleeve in terms of both comfort and stability. Experiment 1 showed that the sleeve condition was associated with greater ACL strain ([Formula: see text]% and no-[Formula: see text]%) and forces ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW). In addition, the brace condition also enhanced lateral compressive tibiofemoral ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW) and total compressive tibiofemoral force ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW). Finally, for the subjective ratings, participants indicated that the knee sleeve significantly improved perceived comfort and stability. Experiment 2 did not reveal any statistical differences between knee sleeve and no-sleeve conditions nor any effects of the knee sleeve on subjective ratings of comfort or stability. Therefore, the findings from the current investigation suggest that the prophylactic knee sleeve examined in the current investigation does not appear to reduce the biomechanical parameters linked to the aetiology of knee pathologies in male/female footballers.

The Effect of Tibial Insertion Site in Single-Bundle ACL Reconstruction during Gait Based on Motion Capture and Musculoskeletal Model.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tibial insertion site (TIS) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in single-bundle ACL reconstruction on ligament force during gait. A musculoskeletal model with an ACL ligament was created, and gait data were collected based on the motion capture system from seven female patients with single-bundle ACL reconstruction. The TIS was simulated in OpenSim and systematically changed in 2.5 mm intervals (2.5 mm, 5.0 mm, and 7.5 mm) in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions from the center. The changes of the ACL force overtime and peak force were compared using the Pearson correlation and paired t-test separately for all simulated TISs. The results indicated that anterior movement of the TIS would significantly increase the loading of reconstructed ACL and the risk of secondary injury, but the posterior TIS would keep the ACL loose during gait. The mediolateral change of the TIS also affected the ligament force during gait, which increased in the medial direction and decreased in lateral direction, but the magnitude of the change is relatively small compared with those measured in the anteroposterior direction. Therefore, during preoperative surgery planning, defining the outline of the ACL attachment site during surgery can help to guide the decision for the TIS and can significantly affect the reconstructed ACL force during gait, especially if the TIS is moved in the anteroposterior direction.

Effect of components mal-alignment on biomechanics in fixed unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using multi-body dynamics model during a walking cycle

Aberrant knee biomechanical environment caused by the component mal-alignment of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) could lead to knee pain and even early prosthetic failure. This study aims at quantifying the effects of the coronal mal-alignment of femoral and tibial components on biomechanics of knee joint during walking. A subject-specific musculoskeletal multibody model of UKA was established based on a model validated in our previous study. In this model, both of femoral and tibial components were re-aligned with the coronal angle ranging from 9° of varus to 9° of valgus at 3° increment, respectively. It was shown that the valgus mal-alignment of femoral component and the varus mal-alignment of tibial component caused a clearly increased trend in the contact force and valgus rotation of tibiofemoral joint, and in the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament force, with the most remarkable alterations in the 9° condition. However, component mal-alignment had no effect on the biomechanical environment of patellofemoral joint. It is then advisable that surgeons should be concerned with coronal component position on UKA because of adverse biomechanical effects. Specifically, more than 9° of mal-alignment could lead to more detrimental effects.

Effects of Pubertal Maturation on ACL Forces During a Landing Task in Females

Background: Rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in young people have increased by >70% over the past two decades. Adolescent and young adult females are at higher risk of ACL injury as compared with their prepubertal counterparts. Purpose: To determine ACL loading during a standardized drop-land-lateral jump in females at different stages of pubertal maturation. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: On the basis of the Tanner classification system, 19 pre-, 19 early-/mid-, and 24 late-/postpubertal females performed a standardized drop-land-lateral jump while 3-dimensional body motion, ground-reaction forces, and surface electromyography data were acquired. These data were used to model external biomechanics, lower limb muscle forces, and knee contact forces, which were subsequently used in a validated computational model to estimate ACL loading. Statistical parametric mapping analysis of variance was used to compare ACL force and its causal contributors among the 3 pubertal maturation groups during stance phase of the task. Results: When compared with pre- and early-/midpubertal females, late-/postpubertal females had significantly higher ACL force with mean differences of 471 and 356 N during the first 30% and 48% to 85% of stance, and 343 and 274 N during the first 24% and 59% to 81% of stance, respectively, which overlapped peaks in ACL force. At the point of peak ACL force, contributions from sagittal and transverse plane loading mechanisms to ACL force were higher in late-/postpubertal compared with pre- and early-/midpubertal groups (medium effect sizes from 0.44 to 0.77). No differences were found between pre- and early-/midpubertal groups in ACL force or its contributors. Conclusion: The highest ACL forces were observed in late-/postpubertal females, consistent with recently reported rises of ACL injury rates in females aged 15 to 19 years. It is important to quantify ACL force and its contributors during dynamic tasks to advance our understanding of the loading mechanism and thereby provide guidance to injury prevention. Clinical Relevance: Growth of ACL volume plateaus around 10 years of age, before pubertal maturation, meaning that a late-/postpubertal female could have an ACL of similar size to their less mature counterparts. However, late-/postpubertal females have higher body mass requiring higher muscle forces to accelerate the body during dynamic tasks, which may increase ACL loading. Thus, if greater forces develop in these females, in part because of their increased body mass, these higher forces will be applied to an ACL that is not proportionally larger. This may partially explain the higher rates of ACL injury in late-/postpubertal females.