Simultaneous strain knee measurements of knee ligaments

• Main Author: Ng, Wei Bin
• Other Authors: Chou Siaw Meng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/74625
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Ligamentous injuries are common among athletes and occur due to subjecting loads on the knee beyond its capabilities. The main objective of this study involves the simultaneous measurement of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) which are four main ligaments of the knee. Strain will be used as the quantifiable indicator for the experiment to analyse and understand the function of knee ligaments and its responses to passive flexion with tibia internal torque. A new fixture was designed to increase the degrees of freedom (DOF) for a more realistic condition to study the actual loading conditions of the knee. Thus, this study also seeks to test the viability of the jig design. Eight porcine knee specimens were prepared in this study. The experiment involves loading of 0, 1.5 and 3 Nm internal torque to the tibia at 30° to 120° flexion. Upon identification that ACL act as the primary ligament to restrain tibia internal torque, it was completely cut to simulate ACL tear and the remaining ligaments were analysed. PCL and ACL appear to work in unison to stablise the knee during flexion while LCL do not play a role as a restraint against flexion and internal torque. MCL was found to be the next ligament to provide internal rotation stability, thus supporting the high frequency of ACL and MCL injury.