title: Linear and torsional mechanical characteristics of intact and reconstructed scapholunate ligaments.
abstract: The mechanical behavior of human scapholunate ligaments is not well understood. Presently, intact scapholunate specimens were mechanically tested in linear distraction and torsion. Fresh bovine tendon grafts were used to reconstruct the scapholunate interval and the tests repeated. Tests yielded the following average values for intact specimens: linear stiffness (48.9 Nmm), linear load retained at 100 s (44%), torsional stiffness (19.5 N mmdeg), torque remaining at 100 seconds (66%), torque-to-failure (1253.9 N mm), and angle-to-failure (50.4 deg). Tests showed the following average values for reconstructed specimens: linear stiffness (5.4 Nmm), linear load retained at 100 s (49%), torsional stiffness (12.6 N mmdeg), torque remaining at 100 s (71%), torque-to-failure (936.8 N mm), and angle-to-failure (54.5 deg). There were no statistically significant differences between the intact and reconstructed specimens, with the exception of linear stiffness. Biomechanically, this is the first study in the literature to quantify torsional stress relaxation, failure torque, and failure angle for the intact and repaired human scapholunate ligament. Surgically, reconstruction with bovine tendon may warrant further investigation as a method to potentially retain function and strength after scapholunate injury.
authors.affiliation: Martin Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada M5B-1W8. zderor@smh.toronto.on.ca
authors.forename: Rad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zdero
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elfatori
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skrinskas
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nourhosseini
authors.forename: Cari
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whyne
authors.forename: Emil H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Schemitsch
authors.forename: Herb
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von Schroeder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D019415:Torque