Mechanical properties of the posterolateral structures of the knee.
BACKGROUND
The individual biomechanical strength properties of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon have not been well elucidated by previous studies. To define the necessary strength requirements for a posterolateral knee reconstruction, these properties for the main individual structures of the posterolateral knee need to be defined.


OBJECTIVE
The biomechanical failure properties of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon can be determined by cadaveric testing.


METHODS
Descriptive laboratory study.


METHODS
Each structure was individually isolated in 8 fresh-frozen, nonpaired cadaveric knees and loaded to failure at more than 100%/s.


RESULTS
The mean ultimate tensile strength of the fibular collateral ligament was 295 N, the popliteofibular ligament was 298 N, and the popliteus tendon was 700 N. The mean cross-sectional areas of these same structures at their midpoints were 11.9 mm2, 17.1 mm2, and 21.9 mm2, respectively. Although the stiffness of the fibular collateral ligament (33.5 N/m) was similar to that of the popliteofibular ligament (28.6 N/m), the popliteus tendon was significantly stiffer than both (83.7 N/m).


CONCLUSIONS
The popliteofibular ligament, fibular collateral ligament, and popliteus tendon can resist fairly large loads before failure. Knowledge of the strengths of the main native posterolateral knee stabilizers will assist with reconstructive graft choices for these structures.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue South, R200, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. lapra001@umn.edu
Robert F
RF
LaPrade
Timothy S
TS
Bollom
Fred A
FA
Wentorf
Nicholas J
NJ
Wills
Keith
K
Meister
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength