HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Harner, C. D. Articles by Woo, S. L.-Y. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Harner, C. D. Articles by Woo, S. L.-Y.

The Human Posterior Cruciate Ligament Complex: An Interdisciplinary Study

Ligament Morphology and Biomechanical Evaluation

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

John W. Xerogeanes, MD

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Glen A. Livesay, MS

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gregory J. Carlin, MS

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Brian A. Smith, MD

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Takeshi Kusayama, MD

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Shinji Kashiwaguchi, MD

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Savio L.-Y. Woo, PhD

Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

To study the structural and functional properties of the human posterior cruciate ligament complex, we meas ured the cross-sectional shape and area of the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and meniscofemoral liga ments in eight cadaveric knees. The posterior cruciate ligament increased in cross-sectional area from tibia to femur, and the anterior cruciate ligament area de creased from tibia to femur. The meniscofemoral liga ments did not change shape in their course from the lateral meniscus to their femoral insertions. The pos terior cruciate ligament cross-sectional area was ap proximately 50% and 20% greater than that of the an terior cruciate ligament at the femur and tibia, respectively. The meniscofemoral ligaments averaged approximately 22% of the entire cross-sectional area of the posterior cruciate ligament. The insertion sites of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments were evalu ated. The insertion sites of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments were 300% to 500% larger than the cross-section of their respective midsubstances. We determined, through transmission electron microscopy, fibril size within the anterior and posterior cruciate liga ment complex from the femur to the tibia. The posterior cruciate ligament becomes increasingly larger from the tibial to the femoral insertions, and the anterior cruciate ligament becomes smaller toward the femoral insertion. We evaluated the biomechanical properties of the femur-posterior cruciate ligament-tibia complex using 14 additional human cadaveric knees. The posterior cruciate ligament was divided into two functional com ponents : the anterolateral, which is taut in knee flexion, and the posteromedial, which is taut in knee extension. The anterolateral component had a significantly greater linear stiffness and ultimate load than both the postero medial component and meniscofemoral ligaments. The anterolateral component and the meniscofemoral liga ments displayed similar elastic moduli, which were both significantly greater than that of the posteromedial com ponent.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. R. Whiddon, C. T. Zehms, M. D. Miller, J. S. Quinby, S. L. Montgomery, and J. K. Sekiya Double Compared with Single-Bundle Open Inlay Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Cadaver Model J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., September 1, 2008; 90(9): 1820 - 1829. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Lubowitz, B. J. Bernardini, and J. B. Reid III Current Concepts Review: Comprehensive Physical Examination for Instability of the Knee Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2008; 36(3): 577 - 594. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. V. Lopes Jr., M. Ferretti, W. Shen, M. Ekdahl, P. Smolinski, and F. H. Fu Topography of the Femoral Attachment of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., February 1, 2008; 90(2): 249 - 255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Garavaglia, A. Lubbeke, V. Dubois-Ferriere, D. Suva, D. Fritschy, and J. Menetrey Accuracy of Stress Radiography Techniques in Grading Isolated and Combined Posterior Knee Injuries: A Cadaveric Study Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2007; 35(12): 2051 - 2056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Coobs, R. F. LaPrade, C. J. Griffith, and B. J. Nelson Biomechanical Analysis of an Isolated Fibular (Lateral) Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using an Autogenous Semitendinosus Graft Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2007; 35(9): 1521 - 1527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Markolf, B. T. Feeley, S. R. Jackson, and D. R. McAllister Biomechanical Studies of Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., August 1, 2006; 88(8): 1788 - 1794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Nagasaki, Y. Ohkoshi, K. Yamamoto, W. Ebata, R. Imabuchi, and J. Nishiike The Incidence and Cross-sectional Area of the Meniscofemoral Ligament Am. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2006; 34(8): 1345 - 1350. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. K. Davis, D. H. Goltz, D. C. Fithian, and D. D'Lima Anatomical Posterior Cruciate Ligament Transplantation: A Biomechanical Analysis Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2006; 34(7): 1126 - 1133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Markolf, B. T. Feeley, S. R. Jackson, and D. R. McAllister Where Should the Femoral Tunnel of a Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Be Placed to Best Restore Anteroposterior Laxity and Ligament Forces? Am. J. Sports Med., April 1, 2006; 34(4): 604 - 611. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Bergfeld, S. M. Graham, R. D. Parker, A. D. C. Valdevit, and H. E. Kambic A Biomechanical Comparison of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions Using Single- and Double-Bundle Tibial Inlay Techniques Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2005; 33(7): 976 - 981. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. R. Noyes and S. Barber-Westin Posterior Cruciate Ligament Replacement with a Two-Strand Quadriceps Tendon-Patellar Bone Autograft and a Tibial Inlay Technique J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., June 1, 2005; 87(6): 1241 - 1252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. K. Sekiya, M. J. Haemmerle, K. J. Stabile, T. M. Vogrin, and C. D. Harner Biomechanical Analysis of a Combined Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2005; 33(3): 360 - 369. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. C. Covey, A. A. Sapega, and R. C. Marshall The Effects of Varied Joint Motion and Loading Conditions on Posterior Cruciate Ligament Fiber Length Behavior Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2004; 32(8): 1866 - 1872. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E. DeFrate, T. J. Gill, and G. Li In Vivo Function of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament During Weightbearing Knee Flexion Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2004; 32(8): 1923 - 1928. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. M. Wind Jr, J. A. Bergfeld, and R. D. Parker Evaluation and Treatment of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Revisited Am. J. Sports Med., October 1, 2004; 32(7): 1765 - 1775. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. F. LaPrade, S. Johansen, F. A. Wentorf, L. Engebretsen, J. L. Esterberg, and A. Tso An Analysis of an Anatomical Posterolateral Knee Reconstruction: An In Vitro Biomechanical Study and Development of a Surgical Technique Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2004; 32(6): 1405 - 1414. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E. DeFrate, A. van der Ven, T. J. Gill, and G. Li The Effect of Length on the Structural Properties of an Achilles Tendon Graft as Used in Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Am. J. Sports Med., June 1, 2004; 32(4): 993 - 997. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. E. Cooper and D. Stewart Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Single-Bundle Patella Tendon Graft With Tibial Inlay Fixation: 2- to 10-Year Follow-up Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2004; 32(2): 346 - 360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Harner, R. L. Waltrip, C. H. Bennett, K. A. Francis, B. Cole, and J. J. Irrgang Surgical Management of Knee Dislocations J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., February 1, 2004; 86(2): 262 - 273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. F. LaPrade, T. V. Ly, F. A. Wentorf, and L. Engebretsen The Posterolateral Attachments of the Knee: A Qualitative and Quantitative Morphologic Analysis of the Fibular Collateral Ligament, Popliteus Tendon, Popliteofibular Ligament, and Lateral Gastrocnemius Tendon Am. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2003; 31(6): 854 - 860. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Oakes, K. L. Markolf, J. McWilliams, C. R. Young, and D. R. McAllister The Effect of Femoral Tunnel Position on Graft Forces During Inlay Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2003; 31(5): 667 - 672. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. S. Ahmad, Z. A. Cohen, W. N. Levine, T. R. Gardner, G. A. Ateshian, and V. C. Mow Codominance of the Individual Posterior Cruciate Ligament Bundles: An Analysis of Bundle Lengths and Orientation Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2003; 31(2): 221 - 225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. A. Mejia, F. R. Noyes, and E. S. Grood Posterior Cruciate Ligament Femoral Insertion Site Characteristics: Importance for Reconstructive Procedures Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2002; 30(5): 643 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. R. McAllister, K. L. Markolf, D. A. Oakes, C. R. Young, and J. McWilliams A Biomechanical Comparison of Tibial Inlay and Tibial Tunnel Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Techniques: Graft Pretension and Knee Laxity Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 2002; 30(3): 312 - 317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K.-H. Cho, D.-C. Lee, R. K. Chhem, S.-D. Kim, J. A. Bouffard, E. Cardinal, and B.-H. Park Normal and Acutely Torn Posterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee at US Evaluation: Preliminary Experience Radiology, May 1, 2001; 219(2): 375 - 380. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. A. Bergfeld, D. R. McAllister, R. D. Parker, A. D. C. Valdevit, and H. E. Kambic A Biomechanical Comparison of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Techniques Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2001; 29(2): 129 - 136. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T K Kakarlapudi and D R Bickerstaff Knee instability: isolated and complex Br. J. Sports Med., October 1, 2000; 34(5): 395 - 400. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Harner, M. A. Janaushek, C. B. Ma, A. Kanamori, T. M. Vogrin, and S. L-Y. Woo The Effect of Knee Flexion Angle and Application of an Anterior Tibial Load at the Time of Graft Fixation on the Biomechanics of a Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Knee Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2000; 28(4): 460 - 465. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Harner, M. A. Janaushek, A. Kanamori, M. Yagi, T. M. Vogrin, and S. L.-Y. Woo Biomechanical Analysis of a Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2000; 28(2): 144 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. H. Fu, C. H. Bennett, C. Lattermann, and C. B. Ma Current Trends in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Part 1: Biology and Biomechanics of Reconstruction Am. J. Sports Med., November 1, 1999; 27(6): 821 - 830. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Fox, C. D. Harner, M. Sakane, G. J. Carlin, and S. L.-Y. Woo Determination of the In Situ Forces in the Human Posterior Cruciate Ligament Using Robotic Technology: A Cadaveric Study Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 1998; 26(3): 395 - 401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Harner and J. Hoher Evaluation and Treatment of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 1998; 26(3): 471 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. Bosch, N. Gassler, and B. Decker Alterations of Glycosaminoglycans During Patellar Tendon Autograft Healing After Posterior Cruciate Ligament Replacement: A Biochemical Study in a Sheep Model Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 1998; 26(1): 103 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Stone, G. J. Carlin, Y. Ishibashi, C. D. Harner, and S. L.-Y. Woo Assessment of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Performance Using Robotic Technology Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 1996; 24(6): 824 - 828. [Abstract] [PDF]