Analysis of partial meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction in knee joint biomechanics under a combined loading.
BACKGROUND
Despite partial meniscectomies and ligament reconstructions as treatments of choice for meniscal and ligament injuries, respectively, the knee joint osteoarthritis persists.


METHODS
A detailed nonlinear finite element model of the knee joint was developed to evaluate biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint under 200 N drawer load with and without 1500 N compression preload. The model incorporated composite structure of cartilage and meniscus. The effects on joint response and articular contact pressure of unilateral partial meniscectomy, of changes in prestrain or material properties of the anterior cruciate ligament and of their combination were investigated.


RESULTS
Compressive preload further increases anterior cruciate ligament strains/forces in drawer loading. Partial meniscectomy and perturbations in anterior cruciate ligament prestrain/material properties, alone or combined, substantially alter the load transfer via covered and uncovered areas of cartilage as well as contact pressure distribution on cartilage. Partial meniscectomy especially when combined with a slacker anterior cruciate ligament diminish the load via affected meniscus generating unloaded regions on the cartilage.


CONCLUSIONS
Partial meniscectomy concurrent with a slack anterior cruciate ligament substantially alter cartilage contact pressures. These alterations further intensify in the event of greater external forces, larger meniscal resections and total anterior cruciate ligament rupture, thus suggesting a higher risk of joint degeneration.
Shirazi
R
R
Division of Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C3A7.
Shirazi-Adl
A
A
D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008954:Models, Biological; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing