The effects of sequential sectioning of defined posterior cruciate ligament fiber regions on translational knee motion.

Background: Recent studies have shown that the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is composed of a continuum of fiber regions that display characteristic mechanical behavior under different motion and loading conditions.

Hypothesis: The anterior, central, and posterior fiber regions of the PCL differentially contribute to control of posterior translation of the tibia.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

The effects of varied joint motion and loading conditions on posterior cruciate ligament fiber length behavior.

Background: The posterior cruciate ligament has been described as being composed of 2 bands that reciprocally tighten and loosen with knee flexion, but the fiber anatomy and behavior may be more complex.

Hypothesis: The mechanical effects of defined loading conditions at discrete knee joint angles can vary significantly within the substance of the posterior cruciate ligament depending on the fiber region tested.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.