The Structural Properties of the Lateral Retinaculum and Capsular Complex of the Knee

Overview

Journal J Biomech

Specialty Physiology

Date 2009 Aug 4

PMID 19647256

Citations 25

Authors

Azhar M Merican

Sanjay Sanghavi

Farhad Iranpour

Andrew A Amis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Unlabelled: Although lateral retinacular releases are not uncommon, there is very little scientific knowledge about the properties of these tissues, on which to base a rationale for the surgery. We hypothesised that we could identify specific tissue bands and measure their structural properties. Eight fresh-frozen knees were dissected, and the lateral soft tissues prepared into three distinct structures: a broad tissue band linking the iliotibial band (ITB) to the patella, and two capsular ligaments: patellofemoral and patellomeniscal. These were individually tensile tested to failure by gripping the patella in a vice jaw and the soft tissues in a freezing clamp.

Results: the ITB-patellar band was strongest, at a mean of 582N, and stiffest, at 97 N/mm. The patellofemoral ligament failed at 172 N with 16 N/mm stiffness; the patellomeniscal ligament failed at 85 N, with 13N/mm stiffness. These structural properties suggest that most of the load in-vivo is transmitted to the patella by the transverse fibres that originate from the ITB.

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