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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-05-2011 | Knee

In vivo length patterns of the medial collateral ligament during the stance phase of gait

Authors: Fang Liu, Hemanth R. Gadikota, Michal Kozánek, Ali Hosseini, Bing Yue, Thomas J. Gill, Harry E. Rubash, Guoan Li

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

Purpose

The function of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during gait has not been investigated. Our objective was to measure the kinematics of the medial collateral ligament during the stance phase of gait on a treadmill using a combined dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) and MRI technique.

Methods

Three-dimensional models of the knee were constructed using magnetic resonance images of 7 healthy human knees. The contours of insertion areas of the superficial MCL (sMCL) and deep MCL (dMCL) on the femur and tibia were constructed using the coronal plane MR images of each knee. Both the sMCL and the dMCL were separated into 3 portions: the anterior, mid, and posterior bundles. The relative elongation of the bundles was calculated using the bundle length at heel strike (or 0% of the stance phase) as a reference.

Results

The lengths of the anterior bundles were positively correlated with the knee flexion angle. The mid-bundles of the sMCL and dMCL were found to function similarly in trend with the anterior bundles during the stance phase of the gait and their lengths had weak correlations with the knee flexion angles. The elongations of the posterior bundles of sMCL and dMCL were peaked at mid-stance and terminal extension/pre-swing stance phase. The lengths of the posterior bundles were negatively correlated with the knee flexion during the stance phase.

Conclusion

The data of this study demonstrated that the anterior and posterior bundles of the sMCL and dMCL have a reciprocal function during the stance phase of gait. This data provide insight into the function of the MCL and a normal reference for the study of physiology and pathology of the MCL. The data may be useful in designing reconstruction techniques to better reproduce the native biomechanical behavior of the MCL.

Level of evidence

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Title: In vivo length patterns of the medial collateral ligament during the stance phase of gait
Authors: Fang Liu
Hemanth R. Gadikota
Michal Kozánek
Ali Hosseini
Bing Yue
Thomas J. Gill
Harry E. Rubash
Guoan Li
Publication date: 01-05-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-010-1336-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

In vivo length patterns of the medial collateral ligament during the stance phase of gait

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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