In Vitro Study of Knee Stability After Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

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Abstract
The effect of reconstructing the posterior cruciate ligament on anteroposterior laxity of the knee was evaluated in 7 cadaveric knees. A bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was used. Femoral pilot holes were drilled to locate the most isometric sites for attachment of the graft to the femur using an isometer. A tension of 89 N was set in the graft using a tensiometer with the knee in 90 ° flexion while applying an anterior drawer force of 156 N to the tibia. Posterior displacement of the knee was measured in 15 ° increments from 0 ° to 90 ° in the intact knee, in the knee with the posterior cruciate ligament transected, and after reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament in response to 100 N of posteriorly applied force. Graft tension was nearly constant between 0 ° and 90 ° flexion, indicating the grafts to be isometric. The reconstruction reduced posterior translation of the tibia in the posterior cruciate ligament excised knee at all angles of flexion; the differences were statistically significant. The reconstruction returned posterior translation to levels not significantly different from those of the intact knee between 0 ° and 45 ° flexion but not in the greater angles of flexion tested.