Abstract des Autors

A laboratory study was performed using a cadaver model to measure strain in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as a function of applied tibial rotation at various knee flexion angles. ACL strain was highest near full knee extension with internal tibial rotation, similar for the position that might be encountered during a forward twisting fall in skiing. ACL strain in the flexed knee was minimal within the range of normal internal/external tibial rotation. A field study on the ski slopes was performed to measure the motions of the lower extremity and the torso relative to the binding while simultaneously measuring the forces and movements on the binding during normal skiing. There were combinations of loading directions and leg motions that occur frequently during normal skiing. We identified regions of infrequent loading directions which correlate with lower leg positions which were shown to develop high strains in the ACL. Taken together, these studies may provide basic information that is useful in determining new paradigms for binding retention and release that consider additional protection for the soft tissue structures in the knee. Verf.-Referat