Biomechanical effects of different lengths of cross-pins in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A finite element analysis

Abstract

Complication rates of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) were reported to be around 15%. Although it is a very common arthroscopic surgery with good outcomes, breakage and migration of fixators are still possible to occur due to stability issue. One of the factors that affects the mechanical stability of fixators is its length. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the biomechanical effects of different lengths of fixators (cross-pin technique) towards the stabilities of the knee joint after ACL-R. Finite element analyses of knee joint with DST grafts and fixators were carried out. Mimics and 3-Matic were used in the development of knee joint models, while the grafts and fixators were designed by using SolidWorks software. All models were remeshed in the 3-Matic and numerical analysis was performed via MSC.Marc Mentat software. A 100 N anterior tibial load was applied onto the tibia to simulate the anterior drawer test after the surgery and proximal femur was fixed at all degrees of freedom. Based on the findings, cross-pin with 40mm in length provided the most favorable option for better treatment of ACL-R, where it could promote osseointegration and preventing fracture.