抄録
In this study, a device is developed for the measurement and adjustment of resultant graft tension of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed knee in vitro. This device is attached to the tibial surface at the distal end of the drill hole for ACL reconstruction. It measures the graft tension via a suture coming from the graft and fixed at one end of the device positioned on the axis of the drill hole, by using strain gauges. A hollow bolt-nut pair at the end of suture fixation site provides a level adjusting mechanism for the initial tension adjustment of the graft. The calibration test showed a good linearity and sensitivity, and the effect of the device is examined through the knee extension test and the anterior-posterior (A-P) drawer test for four human cadaveric knees. The graft tension observed by the device showed the ACL / graft tension characteristics that is consistent with those in past reports by several authors, and it is confirmed that the developed device enables us to study the graft tension under the practical situation of ACL reconstruction quantitatively.
