2019 Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 133-137
[Purpose] The maximum strength intensity of the anterior cruciate ligament and the morphological change in collagen fibers in the early stage of joint fixation were examined. [Participants and Methods] Wistar rats were used in this study. The left knee joint was fixed in the flexed position, and the right was untreated. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 1, 2, and 4 weeks of fixation. After each fixed period, maximum strength was measured in the form of a femur - anterior cruciate ligament - tibia tensile test. In addition, the arrangement of the collagen fibers was observed using a scanning electron microscope. [Results] The maximum strength intensity significantly lowered from 1 week after fixation, and the arrangement of the collagen fibers also changed. [Conclusion] At 1 week after joint fixation, the ligament strength decreased and the collagen fiber sequence change began, suggesting that there is a relationship between both.
