Editorial Commentary: More Evidence That Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency Contributes to Knee Arthritis-In Search of an Optimal Biomechanical Model.

Abstract

Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears have a greater incidence of knee arthritis than the general population. Acute chondral injury, acute or delayed meniscal pathology, and altered contact mechanics have all been implicated in the development of arthritis. Dynamic models (i.e., testing during simulated knee motion) have shown the biomechanical influence of ACL tears on knee laxity, although most investigations of contact mechanics rely on static models (i.e., testing during no relative tibiofemoral motion) wherein pressure distribution is mapped by thin films loaded in compression. A model that quantifies the change in contact mechanics during simulated knee motion after ACL tears, including stress distribution and shear stress, is desirable.