Computational analysis of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under different graft configurations

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this work is to computationally study the effect of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and to assess the sensitivity of joint biomechanics to changes in different parameters. Methods: This procedure consisted of three stages. Firstly, the determination of the knee joint kinematics. This was inferred from motion capture of a patient repeating a motor task. The capture was made with a VICON system using skin markers on the patient. Secondly, the set up of a finite element simulation of a healthy knee reproducing the same motor task, in the FEBio software. Finally, the development of a model for a knee with single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Ten different settings of this model were analyzed. Results: The results show that a 10% variation in the mechanical properties of the ACL does not cause a significant change in the dynamic behavior of the healthy knee joint. No significant differences were observed in the ACLr with different materials, either. The location of the femoral tunnel that best restores the joint biomechanics is the one made in the center of the femoral footprint of the ACL. Conclusion: In general terms, the results of healthy KJ agree with those presented in the reference literature. Moreover, the forces and moments resulting from the reconstructions reaffirm that the optimal position for the location of the femoral insertion is the center of the original ACL footprint. In addition, it is concluded that the restoration of the biomechanics of the KJ is much more sensitive to the location of the femoral tunnel than to the mechanical properties of the graft, in the range of variations that were taken into account in this work.