Strain measurement in the medial collateral ligament of the human knee: an autopsy study

A strain transducer was developed which employs a magnetic field sensing device to detect linear displacement. The transducer was attached to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of human autopsy specimens, minimally influencing their physiologic behavior. A strain 'map' of the MCL as a function of knee flexion (full extension to 120 degrees) both with and without abduction force was obtained. Our investigation revealed consistent differences in the strain patterns between proximal, middle and distal segments of the anterior and posterior borders of the MCL. Anatomic variations in the pattern of collagen fibers within the MCL, interactions between posterior oblique capsular fibers and the MCL, and the skeletal configuration may account for these varied strain patterns.