ISSN:
1573-4838
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract To analyze the effects of stress-shielding on graft maturation after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, autogenous ACL reconstruction using Achilles tendon was performed in rabbits. Two-end fixation with a ligament augmentation device (LAD), as a stress-shielding model (SS group), and pull-out fixation with Leeds-Keio artificial ligaments (L-K ligament), as a non-stress-shielding model (non-SS group), were investigated. Intact ACL was used as the control. Specimens were harvested 6 mon postoperatively, and the analysis was focused on collagen fibril maturation in the mid-substance and bone-anchoring pattern in the bone tunnel, under light and transmission electron microscopy. The density of collagen fibrils in the control was lower than that in both experimental groups (p〈0.01). The per cent collagen area in the control was higher than that in the SS (p〈0.01) and the non-SS group (p〈0.01). The per cent collagen area in the non-SS group was higher than that in the SS group (p〈0.05). At the ligament-bone interface, intracellular calcification of the degenerated chondrocytes occurred in the non-SS group, while in the SS group hydroxyapatite deposits were observed only in the extracellular matrix. These results show unfavorable influence of stress-shielding on graft maturation not only in the mid-substance but also at the ligament-bone junction. © 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008945709532
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