J Korean Knee Soc.  1997 Jun;9(1):7-12.

The Measurement of Ligament Strength in Non - operatively Treated Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries of Rabbits - Comparison of Immobilization and Motion Group -

• Jung YB
• Kim CH
• Jung HJ

Abstract

In order to assess the difference of healing of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee according to the treatment methods, in vivo animal experiment using a rabbit model was perfoimed. Thirty six MCLs in eighteen rabbits were surgically transected at the mid-portion and treatm nt was done with two different methods, e.g. immobilization wiih plaster cast in right knees (Group I ), and non-immohilization in left knees (Group 2 ). Five rabhits were used as normal controis. To evaluate the biomechanical property of the femur-MCL-tibia complex (FMTC) in time progression, tensile stress tests using material testing machine (Model 8511, Instron company, 1993) were done at 6, 10, l2 weeks postoperatively and the results were as follows. 1. The ultimate load and stiffness (structural property) of the FMTC increased with time in both groups, but group ][ showed significantly higher values than group I . 2. The material property of the MCL checked by stress-strain curve showed higher Young s modulus in group ][ than in group ] . As a results, joint motion seems to improve the biomechanical propeity of the healed MCL.

Keyword

Medial Collateral Ligament; Immobilization; Motion

MeSH Terms

Animal Experimentation
Casts, Surgical
Collateral Ligaments*
Exercise Test
Immobilization*
Joints
Knee
Ligaments*
Rabbits*