White-Tailed Deer as an Ex Vivo Knee Model: Joint Morphometry and ACL Rupture Strength.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Comparative Anatomy
• Orthopedic Research

Background:

• Animal models are crucial for biomechanical studies of human joints.
• Commonly used quadruped knees differ significantly from human knees in size and shape.
• The cervine stifle joint (deer knee) has not been extensively evaluated as a human knee model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the suitability of the deer knee as a laboratory model for human knee biomechanical studies.
• To compare the morphometry, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cross-section, and ACL rupture strength of deer knees to human knees.

Main Methods:

• Gross morphometry of twelve wild white-tailed deer knees was measured.
• ACL cross-sectional area and rupture strength were determined.
• Measurements were compared to previously reported data for human and other animal knees.

Main Results:

• Deer knee morphometry, including bicondylar and notch width, closely resembled human knee dimensions.
• Tibial slopes in deer were steeper than in humans but less steep than in other quadrupeds.
• ACL rupture force, stiffness, length, and cross-sectional area in deer were comparable to human values.
• No significant sexual dimorphism was observed in strength or morphometry within the deer sample.

Conclusions:

• The deer knee exhibits sufficient anatomical and biomechanical similarities to the human knee.
• The cervine stifle joint is a promising model for ex vivo research on ACL rupture and repair.
• Further research can validate the deer knee as a reliable preclinical model for knee joint studies.