Mechanical properties of canine patella-ligament-tibia segment.
OBJECTIVE
To test the ex vivo mechanical properties of canine patella-ligament-tibia (PLT) segment and establish the relationship between donor size and PLT dimensions to the mechanical properties of PLT grafts.


METHODS
Ex vivo mechanical testing study.


METHODS
Canine PLT segments (n = 21 dogs; 42 PLT).


METHODS
Morphometric measurements of PLT segments were taken from computed tomography (CT) images and compared with results obtained using calipers. PLT were tested to failure at a rate of 100% length/s. Mechanical properties and failure mode were recorded.


RESULTS
PLT width and thickness (P < .001 for both) measured by calipers were significantly lower than those taken from CT images. Thirty-five (83%) specimens failed by avulsion fracture from the patella, 1 failed mid-ligament, and 6 failed by tibial fracture. Dog weight and PLT length had the strongest Pearson's r value when correlated with load at failure (r = 0.73, 0.81, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Dog weight and PLT length were the best predictors of load at failure. PLT failure load of dogs weighing >25 kg were similar to those reported for the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) suggesting that the PLT may be a suitable allograft for CCL replacement.
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Jeffery
J
Biskup
Andy
A
Freeman
Will
W
Camisa
John
J
Innes
Michael
M
Conzemius
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology; D010329:Patella / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology