Rotatory Laxity of the Human Knee Joint

¹ From The Hospital for Special Surgery, Affiliated with The New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, New York

A method was developed for measuring the rotatory laxity of fresh knee-joint specimens by automatic cyclic rotation. Twenty-seven cadaver specimens were studied at an angle of 25 degrees of flexion. Primary laxity was defined as the rotation for a low torque of ± S kilograms force-centimeter Secondary laxity was the additional rotation at the extremes of motion at the maximum torque applied. There was a wide variation in laxity among different knees, with no discernible correlation with age, sex, race, or body build The menisci played a part in controlling laxity, particularly in the primary laxity phase at high torque. The collateral ligaments were twice as effective as the cruciate ligaments in controlling rotatory laxity. Axial load on the knee greatly reduced rotatory laxity. A 100-kilogram load reduced rotation to 20 per cent of that at zero axial load.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W.-H. Hsu, J. A. Fisk, Y. Yamamoto, R. E. Debski, and S. L-Y. Woo Differences in Torsional Joint Stiffness of the Knee Between Genders: A Human Cadaveric Study Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 2006; 34(5): 765 - 770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M. Wojtys, L. J. Huston, H. J. Schock, J. P. Boylan, and J. A. Ashton-Miller Gender Differences in Muscular Protection of the Knee in Torsion in Size-Matched Athletes J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., May 1, 2003; 85(5): 782 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M. Wojtys and L. J. Huston Longitudinal Effects of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Patellar Tendon Autograft Reconstruction on Neuromuscular Performance Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 2000; 28(3): 336 - 344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. F. DYE, E. M. WOJTYS, F. H. FU, D. C. FITHIAN, and J. GILLQUIST Instructional Course Lectures, The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Factors Contributing to Function of the Knee Joint after Injury or Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament*{{dagger}} J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., September 1, 1998; 80(9): 1380 - 1393. [Full Text]

				E. M. Wojtys, B. B. Wylie, and L. J. Huston The Effects of Muscle Fatigue on Neuromuscular Function and Anterior Tibial Translation in Healthy Knees Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 1996; 24(5): 615 - 621. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. J. Huston and E. M. Wojtys Neuromuscular Performance Characteristics in Elite Female Athletes Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1996; 24(4): 427 - 436. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. M. Wojtys, S. U. Kothari, and L. J. Huston Anterior Cruciate Ligament Functional Brace Use in Sports Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1996; 24(4): 539 - 546. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Durselen, L. Claes, and H. Kiefer The Influence of Muscle Forces and External Loads on Cruciate Ligament Strain Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 1995; 23(1): 129 - 136. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. L. Haimes, R. R. Wroble, E. S. Grood, and F. R. Noyes Role of the Medial Structures in the intact and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Knee: Limits of Motion in the Human Knee Am. J. Sports Med., June 1, 1994; 22(3): 402 - 409. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. G. Lane, S. E. Irby, K. Kaufman, C. Rangger, and D. M. Daniel The Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Controlling Axial Rotation: An Evaluation of Its Effect Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 1994; 22(2): 289 - 293. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. M. Wojtys and L. J. Huston Neuromuscular Performance in Normal and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Lower Extremities Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 1994; 22(1): 89 - 104. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Hirokawa, M. Solomonow, Yun Lu, Z.-P. Lou, and R. D'Ambrosia Anterior-posterior and rotational displacement of the tibia elicited by quadriceps contraction Am. J. Sports Med., June 1, 1992; 20(3): 299 - 306. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Jonsson, J. Karrholm, and L.-G. Elmqvist Kinematics of active knee extension after tear of the anterior cruciate ligament Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 1989; 17(6): 796 - 802. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. D. Reuben, J. S. Rovick, R. J. Schrager, P. S. Walker, and A. L. Boland Three-dimensional dynamic motion analysis of the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee joint Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1989; 17(4): 463 - 471. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Karrholm, L.-G. Elmqvist, G. Selvik, and L. I. Hansson Chronic anterolateral instability of the knee: A roentgen stereophotogrammetric evaluation Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1989; 17(4): 555 - 563. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. P. Newman, D. R. Anderson, A.U. Daniels, and M. C. Dales Mechanics of the healed meniscus in a canine model Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 1989; 17(2): 164 - 175. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. M. Czerniecki, F. Lippert, and J. E. Olerud A biomechanical evaluation of tibiofemoral rotation in anterior cruciate deficient knees during walking and running Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1988; 16(4): 327 - 331. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Zarins, C. R. Rowe, B. A. Harris, and M. P. Watkins Rotational motion of the knee Am. J. Sports Med., June 1, 1983; 11(3): 152 - 156. [Abstract] [PDF]