Effects of ACL Reconstruction Techniques on the Kinematics of the Knee in a Computational Knee Model

This study examines the effects of different Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniques on computational multibody knee models. The knee models were derived from two cadaver knees that underwent simulated walk cycles while the kinematics of the knee geometries were collected in a dynamic knee simulator. Once the computational models performed well compared to experimental data, multiple simulated ACL reconstruction surgeries were done on each model. For each simulated reconstruction technique, overall knee kinematics was compared to the experimental cadaver results and anterior-posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur was compared to the original, intact computational model. The factors examined were ACL reconstruction method, adding preload to the reconstruction element, and reconstruction element type.