A Comparative Analysis of Four Prosthetic Anterior Cruciate Ligaments in the Goat

Abstract

This paper presents partial results of a two-part study on the implantation of four different prosthetic anterior cruciate ligaments. Here we shall examine the biological response to the prostheses, while a companion paper considers their comparative mechanical properties (see Thomas et al., this volume). The four ligaments studied were expanded polytetrafluoroethylene polyethylene terephthalate and two carbon-fibre/Dacron composite ligaments, the Westminster and the ABC (Active Biocomposite). The ligaments were implanted into the knee joints of 72 adult female goats — 18 goats for each of the four ligament types. Eight animals from each group were killed at 6 and 12 months. Of these, five underwent mechanical testing and three underwent histological study. A total of eight animals were kept for a longer period and were killed after 2 years.