The effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) manipulation on the dynamic contact mechanics of the knee joint

Mentors

Suzanne Maher, PhD, (PI)
Russell F. Warren, MD
Peter Torzilli, PhD 

Scope

The objective of this project is to assess the effect that ACL rupture and subsequent allograft placement will have on the dynamic pressures transmitted to the tibial plateau of human knees.

A previously developed novel experimental test apparatus will be used to apply physiological loads across human cadaveric knees. The dynamic contact pressures transmitted to the tibial plateau throughout gait will be assessed. Our hypothesis is that current surgical intervention for ACL tears acts to reduce average contact pressures below the injured level, thus restoring more normal load transfer across the knee joint. This hypothesis will be tested by comparing pressure measurements in the intact, injured, and replaced ACL in a series of cadaveric knees under physiologic loads and kinematics.

This project is a collaborative effort between members of the Department of Biomechanics and Sports Medicine faculty. As such, the summer student will:

1. assist with knee preparation and fixturing
2. assist with the surgical technique used to simulate the injury and repair
3. be responsible for data acquisition during dynamic testing
4. extract and analyze the data from the pressure measurement system

Contact

This position has been filled.