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A biomechanical study of the meniscofemoral ligaments and their contribution to contact pressure reduction in the knee

  • Knee
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs) of the human knee assist the lateral meniscal function in reducing tibiofemoral contact pressure. Five human cadaveric knee joints were loaded in axial compression in extension using a 4-degree of freedom rig in a universal materials testing machine. Contact pressures pre- and post-sectioning of the MFLs were measured using pressure sensitive film. Sectioning the MFLs increased the contact pressure significantly in the joints for two of the four measures. In addition to their known function in assisting the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) to resist tibiofemoral posterior drawer, the MFLs also have a significant role in reducing contact stresses in the lateral compartment. Their retention in PCL and meniscal surgery is therefore to be advised.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded in part by the Arthritis Research Campaign; C. M. Gupte was supported by the S&N foundation and the RCS Edin; D. T. T. Lie was supported by the Department of Health of the Government of Singapore. The Instron machine was provided by an equipment grant from the ARC. We also thank the Pathology Department of Ealing Hospital for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Bessemer Building, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Hippolite O. Amadi & Anthony M. J. Bull

  2. St. Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London, UK

    Chinmay M. Gupte

  3. Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore

    Denny T. T. Lie

  4. Brunel University School of Sport and Education, The Northwood Orthopaedic Clinic, c/o Bishops Wood Hospital, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2JW, UK

    Ian D. McDermott

  5. Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Musculoskeletal Surgery, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Andrew A. Amis

Authors
  1. Hippolite O. Amadi
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  2. Chinmay M. Gupte
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  3. Denny T. T. Lie
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  4. Ian D. McDermott
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  5. Andrew A. Amis
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  6. Anthony M. J. Bull
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anthony M. J. Bull.

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Amadi, H.O., Gupte, C.M., Lie, D.T.T. et al. A biomechanical study of the meniscofemoral ligaments and their contribution to contact pressure reduction in the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 16, 1004–1008 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0592-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0592-0

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