title: Comparison of the mechanical characteristics of polymerized caprolactam and monofilament nylon loops constructed in parallel strands or as braided ropes versus cranial cruciate ligaments of cattle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the mechanical characteristics of polymerized caprolactam and monofilament nylon loops with those of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in cattle.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 femorotibial joints harvested from 3 cows and suture constructs made from No. 8 polymerized caprolactam, 80-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line, and 450-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line.
  
  
  METHODS
  Joints were cleared of soft tissue structures except the CCL, connected to a load frame, and loaded to failure while measuring force and elongation. Synthetic constructs tested in a similar manner included single-stranded and 3-stranded No. 8 polymerized caprolactam, 3- and 6-stranded 80-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line, and 3- and 6-stranded 450-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CCL ruptured at a mean ± SD force of 4,541 ± 1,417 N with an elongation of 2.0 ± 0.3 cm. The tensile strength of 3-stranded 450-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line was similar to that of the CCL, rupturing at loads of 5,310 ± 369 N (braided strands) and 6,260 ± 239 N (parallel strands). Elongation was greater for braided constructs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-stranded cords of 450-lb test monofilament nylon fishing line most closely approximated the strength of the CCL. Marked increases in elongation occur when large-sized materials are constructed in braided configurations, and this elongation would likely not provide stability in CCL-deficient stifle joints. Additional studies are needed to determine whether any of these materials are suitable CCL replacements in cattle.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. andrew.niehaus@cvm.osu.edu
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Niehaus
authors: David E
authors: DE
authors: Anderson
authors: Jed K
authors: JK
authors: Johnson
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: Lannutti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002209:Caprolactam / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D002209:Caprolactam