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Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 5, Issue 11 | Pages 1003 - 1012
8 Nov 2024
Gabr A Fontalis A Robinson J Hage W O'Leary S Spalding T Haddad FS

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) following isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), with those following ACLR and concomitant meniscal resection or repair.

Methods

We reviewed prospectively collected data from the UK National Ligament Registry for patients who underwent primary ACLR between January 2013 and December 2022. Patients were categorized into five groups: isolated ACLR, ACLR with medial meniscus (MM) repair, ACLR with MM resection, ACLR with lateral meniscus (LM) repair, and ACLR with LM resection. Linear regression analysis, with isolated ACLR as the reference, was performed after adjusting for confounders.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 105-B, Issue 9 | Pages 953 - 960
1 Sep 2023
Cance N Erard J Shatrov J Fournier G Gunst S Martin GL Lustig S Servien E

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chondral injury and interval from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear to surgical reconstruction (ACLr).

Methods

Between January 2012 and January 2022, 1,840 consecutive ACLrs were performed and included in a single-centre retrospective cohort. Exclusion criteria were partial tears, multiligament knee injuries, prior ipsilateral knee surgery, concomitant unicompartmental knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomy, ACL agenesis, and unknown date of tear. A total of 1,317 patients were included in the final analysis, with a median age of 29 years (interquartile range (IQR) 23 to 38). The median preoperative Tegner Activity Score (TAS) was 6 (IQR 6 to 7). Patients were categorized into four groups according to the delay to ACLr: < three months (427; 32%), three to six months (388; 29%), > six to 12 months (248; 19%), and > 12 months (254; 19%). Chondral injury was assessed during arthroscopy using the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society classification, and its association with delay to ACLr was analyzed using multivariable analysis.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 105-B, Issue SUPP_8 | Pages 78 - 78
11 Apr 2023
Vind T Petersen E Lindgren L Sørensen O Stilling M
Full Access

The Pivot-shift test is a clinical test for knee instability for patinets with Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), however the test has low inter-observer reliability. Dynamic radiostereometry (dRSA) imaging is a highly precise method for objective evaluation of joint kinematics. The purpose of the study was to quantify precise knee kinematics during Pivot-shift test by use of the non-invasive dynamic RSA imaging. Eight human donor legs with hemipelvis were evaluated. Ligament lesion intervention of the ACL was performed during arthroscopy and anterolateral ligament (ALL) section was performed as a capsular incision. Pivot-shift test examination was recorded with dRSA on ligament intact knees, ACL-deficient knees and ACL+ALL-deficient knees. A Pivot-shift pattern was identifyable after ligament lesion as a change in tibial posterior drawer velocity from 7.8 mm/s in ligament intact knees, to 30.4 mm/s after ACL lesion, to 35.1 mm/s after combined ACL-ALL lesion. The anterior-posterior drawer excursion increased from 2.8 mm in ligament intact knees, to 7.2 mm after ACL lesion, to 7.6 mm after combined lesion. Furthermore a change in tibial rotation was found, with increasing external rotation at the end of the pivot-shift motion going from intact to ACL+ALL-deficient knees. This experimental study demonstrates the feasibility of RSA to objectively quantify the kinematic instability patterns of the knee during the Pivot-shift test. The dynamic parameters found through RSA displayed the kinematic changes from ACL to combined ACL-ALL ligament lesion


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 105-B, Issue 1 | Pages 35 - 46
1 Jan 2023
Mills K Wymenga AB Bénard MR Kaptein BL Defoort KC van Hellemondt GG Heesterbeek PJC

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare a bicruciate-retaining (BCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA design in terms of kinematics, measured using fluoroscopy and stability as micromotion using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

Methods

A total of 40 patients with end-stage osteoarthritis were included in this randomized controlled trial. All patients performed a step-up and lunge task in front of a monoplane fluoroscope one year postoperatively. Femorotibial contact point (CP) locations were determined at every flexion angle and compared between the groups. RSA images were taken at baseline, six weeks, three, six, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Clinical and functional outcomes were compared postoperatively for two years.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 11, Issue 7 | Pages 494 - 502
20 Jul 2022
Kwon HM Lee J Koh Y Park KK Kang K

Aims

A functional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has been assumed to be required for patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, this assumption has not been thoroughly tested. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the biomechanical effects exerted by cruciate ligament-deficient knees with medial UKAs regarding different posterior tibial slopes.

Methods

ACL- or PCL-deficient models with posterior tibial slopes of 1°, 3°, 5°, 7°, and 9° were developed and compared to intact models. The kinematics and contact stresses on the tibiofemoral joint were evaluated under gait cycle loading conditions.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 9 | Pages 1505 - 1513
1 Sep 2021
Stockton DJ Schmidt AM Yung A Desrochers J Zhang H Masri BA Wilson DR

Aims

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture commonly leads to post-traumatic osteoarthritis, regardless of surgical reconstruction. This study uses standing MRI to investigate changes in contact area, contact centroid location, and tibiofemoral alignment between ACL-injured knees and healthy controls, to examine the effect of ACL reconstruction on these parameters.

Methods

An upright, open MRI was used to directly measure tibiofemoral contact area, centroid location, and alignment in 18 individuals with unilateral ACL rupture within the last five years. Eight participants had been treated nonoperatively and ten had ACL reconstruction performed within one year of injury. All participants were high-functioning and had returned to sport or recreational activities. Healthy contralateral knees served as controls. Participants were imaged in a standing posture with knees fully extended.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 8 | Pages 1367 - 1372
1 Aug 2021
Plancher KD Brite JE Briggs KK Petterson SC

Aims

The patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) is a level of wellbeing, which is measured by the patient. The aim of this study was to determine if the proportion of patients who achieved an acceptable level of function (PASS) after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was different based on the status of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the time of surgery.

Methods

A total of 114 patients who underwent UKA for isolated medial osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were included in the study. Their mean age was 65 years (SD 10). No patient underwent a bilateral procedure. Those who had undergone ACL reconstruction during the previous five years were excluded. The Knee injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (KOOS ADL) function score was used as the primary outcome measure with a PASS of 87.5, as described for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients completed all other KOOS subscales, Lysholm score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the Veterans Rand 12-item health survey score. Failure was defined as conversion to TKA.


Bone & Joint 360
Vol. 10, Issue 2 | Pages 5 - 16
1 Apr 2021
Coco V Shivji F Thompson P Grassi A Zaffagnini S Spalding T


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 103-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 73 - 73
1 Mar 2021
Taylan O Slane J Dandois F Beek N Claes S Scheys L
Full Access

The anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been recently recognized as a distinct stabilizer for internal rotation in the ACL-deficient knee and it has been hypothesized that ALL reconstruction may play an important role in improving anterolateral instability following ACL reconstruction. Both the gracilis tendon (GT) and a portion of the iliotibial band (ITB) have been suggested as graft materials for ALL reconstruction, however, there is an ongoing debate concerning whether GT or ITB are appropriate grafting materials. Furthermore, there is limited knowledge in how the mechanical properties of these potential grafts compare to the native ALL. Consequently, the aim of this study was to characterize the elastic (Young's modulus and failure load) and viscoelastic (dynamic and static creep) mechanical properties of the ALL and compare these results with the characteristics of the grafting materials (GT and ITB), in order to provide guidance to clinicians with respect to graft material choice. Fourteen fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (85.2±12.2 yr) were obtained. The ALL, ITB, and the distal (GTD) and proximal gracilis tendons (GTP) (bisected at mid portion) were harvested from each donor and tested with a dynamic material testing frame. Prior to testing, the cross-sectional area of each tissue was measured using a casting method and the force required to achieve a min-max stress (1.2–12 MPa) for the testing protocol was calculated (preconditioning (20 cycles, 3–6 MPa), sinusoidal cycle (200 cycles, 1.2–12 MPa), dwell at constant load (100 s, 12 MPa), and load to failure (3%/s)). Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to compare all tissue groups (p<0.05). The Young's modulus of both ALL (181.3±63.9 MPa) and ITB (357.6±94.4 MPa) are significantly lower than GTD (835.4±146.5 MPa) and GTP (725.6±227.1 MPa). In contrast, the failure load of ALL (124.5±40.9 N) was comparable with GTD (452.7±119.3 N) and GTP (433±133.7 N), however, significantly lower than ITB (909.6±194.7 N). Dynamic creep of the ALL (0.5±0.3 mm) and ITB (0.7±0.2 mm) were similar (p>0.05) whereas the GTD (0.26±0.06 mm) and GTP (0.28±0.1 mm) were significantly lower. Static creep progression of the ALL (1.09±0.4 %) was highest across all tissues, while GTD (0.24±0.05 %) and GTP (0.25±0.0.04 %) were lowest and comparable with ITB (0.3±0.07 %) creep progression. Since grafts from the ITB, GTD and GTP were comparable to the ALL only for certain mechanical properties, there was no clear preference for using one over another for ALL reconstruction. Therefore, further studies should be performed in order to evaluate which parameters play a vital role to determine the optimum grafting choice


Bone & Joint 360
Vol. 9, Issue 2 | Pages 18 - 19
1 Apr 2020


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 4 | Pages 442 - 448
1 Apr 2020
Kayani B Konan S Ahmed SS Chang JS Ayuob A Haddad FS

Aims

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) resection on flexion-extension gaps, mediolateral soft tissue laxity, maximum knee extension, and limb alignment during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

This prospective study included 140 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary robotic-arm assisted TKA. All operative procedures were performed by a single surgeon using a standard medial parapatellar approach. Optical motion capture technology with fixed femoral and tibial registration pins was used to assess study outcomes pre- and post-ACL resection with knee extension and 90° knee flexion. This study included 76 males (54.3%) and 64 females (45.7%) with a mean age of 64.1 years (SD 6.8) at time of surgery. Mean preoperative hip-knee-ankle deformity was 6.1° varus (SD 4.6° varus).


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 11 | Pages 509 - 517
1 Nov 2019
Kang K Koh Y Park K Choi C Jung M Shin J Kim S

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effect of the anterolateral ligament (ALL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or both ALL and ACL on kinematics under dynamic loading conditions using dynamic simulation subject-specific knee models.

Methods

Five subject-specific musculoskeletal models were validated with computationally predicted muscle activation, electromyography data, and previous experimental data to analyze effects of the ALL and ACL on knee kinematics under gait and squat loading conditions.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 9 | Pages 1058 - 1062
1 Sep 2019
van Kuijk KSR Reijman M Bierma-Zeinstra SMA Waarsing JH Meuffels DE

Aims

Little is known about the risk factors that predispose to a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Identifying risk factors is the first step in trying to prevent a rupture of the PCL from occurring. The morphology of the knee in patients who rupture their PCL may differ from that of control patients. The purpose of this study was to identify any variations in bone morphology that are related to a PCL.

Patients and Methods

We compared the anteroposterior (AP), lateral, and Rosenberg view radiographs of 94 patients with a ruptured PCL to a control group of 168 patients matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), but with an intact PCL after a knee injury. Statistical shape modelling software was used to assess the shape of the knee and determine any difference in anatomical landmarks.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 101-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 12 - 12
1 Apr 2019
Zumbrunn T Schuetz P von Knoch F Preiss S List R Ferguson SJ
Full Access

BACKGROUND. UKA is functionally superior to TKA, with kinematics similar to native knees, nevertheless, UKA implants are used in less than 10% of cases. While advantages of UKA are recognized, ACL-deficiency is generally considered a contraindication. The hypothesis of this study was that fix bearing UKA in ACL-deficient knees, with appropriate adaptation of implant placement, would result in similar kinematic trends to conventional UKA with an intact ACL. METHODS. Ten conventional UKA patients were compared to eight patients with the same implant but a deficient ACL. A 50% tibial slope reduction was applied to compensate for instability resulting from the deficient ACL. Knee kinematics were evaluated using a moving fluoroscope allowing to track the knee joint during deep knee bend, level walking, ramp descent and stair descent. The results were further compared to six TKA patients. RESULTS. During standing, a posterior shift of the femur was observed for the ACL-deficient UKA patients compared to conventional UKA patients. This posterior shift was also present during the first 25% of deep knee bend. Most parameters revealed no difference in range of motion across all activities between the two UKA groups. This is in contrast to TKA patients showing different motion trends and decreased range of motion. CONCLUSIONS. Despite the posterior femoral shift due to ACL-deficiency, both UKA groups showed similar kinematic trends, indicating that posterior tibial slope reduction can partially compensate for ACL function. This confirmed our hypothesis that fix bearing UKA can be a viable treatment option for selected ACL-deficient patients


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 3 | Pages 126 - 135
1 Mar 2019
Sekiguchi K Nakamura S Kuriyama S Nishitani K Ito H Tanaka Y Watanabe M Matsuda S

Objectives

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is one surgical option for treating symptomatic medial osteoarthritis. Clinical studies have shown the functional benefits of UKA; however, the optimal alignment of the tibial component is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tibial coronal and sagittal plane alignment in UKA on knee kinematics and cruciate ligament tension, using a musculoskeletal computer simulation.

Methods

The tibial component was first aligned perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the tibia, with a 7° posterior slope (basic model). Subsequently, coronal and sagittal plane alignments were changed in a simulation programme. Kinematics and cruciate ligament tensions were simulated during weight-bearing deep knee bend and gait motions. Translation was defined as the distance between the most medial and the most lateral femoral positions throughout the cycle.


Bone & Joint 360
Vol. 6, Issue 3 | Pages 33 - 35
1 Jun 2017


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_1 | Pages 37 - 37
1 Jan 2016
Banks S
Full Access

The history of knee mechanics studies and the evolution of knee arthroplasty design have been well reported through the last decade (e.g. [1],[2]). Through the early 2000's, there was near consensus on the dominant motions occurring in the healthy knee among much of the biomechanics and orthopaedic communities. However, the past decade has seen the application of improved measurement techniques to permit accurate measurement of natural knee motion during activities like walking and running. The results of these studies suggest healthy knee motion is more complex than previously thought, and therefore, design of suitable arthroplasty devices more difficult. The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the knee biomechanics literature before 2008, to present newer studies for walking and running, and to discuss the implications of these findings for the design of knee replacement implants that seek to replicate physiologic knee motions. Many surgeons point to Brantigan and Voshell [3], an anatomic study of over one hundred specimens focusing on the ligamentous and passive stabilizers of the knee, as being an important influence in their thinking about normal knee function. M.A.R. Freeman and colleagues in London claim particular influence from this work, which motivated their extensive series of MR-based knee studies reported in 2000 [4,5,6]. These papers, perhaps more than any others, are responsible for the common impression that knee kinematics are well and simply described as having a ‘medial pivot’ pattern, where the medial condyle remains stationary on the tibial plateau while the lateral condyle translates posteriorly with knee flexion. Indeed, subsequent studies in healthy and arthritic knees during squatting and kneeling [7,8,9] and healthy and ACL-deficient knees during deep knee bends [10,11] show patterns of motion quite similar to those reported by Freeman and coworkers. These studies make a convincing case for how the healthy knee moves during squatting, kneeling and lunging activities. However, these studies are essentially silent on knee motions during ambulatory activities like walking, running and stair-climbing; activities which most agree are critically important to a high-function lifestyle. In 2008 Koo and Andriacchi reported a motion laboratory study of walking in 46 young healthy individuals and found that the stance phase knee center of rotation was LATERAL in 100% of study participants [12]. One year later, Kozanek et al. published a bi-plane fluoroscopy study of healthy knees walking on a treadmill and corroborated the findings of Koo and Andriacchi, i.e. the center of rotation in healthy knees walking was lateral [13]. Isberg et al. published in 2011 a dynamic radiostereometric study of knee motions in healthy, ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees during a weight-bearing flexion-to-extension activity, and showed consistent anterior-to-posterior medial condylar translations with knee extension, accompanied by relatively little lateral condylar translation [14]. Hoshino and Tashman reported in 2012 another dynamic radiostereometric analysis of healthy knees during downhill running and concluded “While the location of the knee rotational axis may be dependent on the specific loading condition, during … walking and running … it is positioned primarily on the lateral side of the joint. ”[15] Finally, Claes et al. reported in late 2013 the detailed anatomy of the anterolateral ligament (ALL), another structure serving to stabilize the lateral knee compartment near extension, roughly in parallel with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) [16]. Studies since 2008 [9,12–16] show knee motions during walking, running and pivoting activities do not fit the “medial pivot” pattern of motion, but rather point to a “lateral pivot” pattern of knee motion consistent with the stabilizing roles of the ACL and ALL. Having a medial center of rotation in flexion and a lateral center of rotation in extension greatly complicates knee arthroplasty design if the goal is to reproduce kinematics approximating those observed in the natural knee. Consistent kinematics having a fixed center of rotation implies joint stabilizing structures or surfaces, not simply articular laxity allowing the knee to move as forces dictate. Thus, a total knee arthroplasty design seeking to reproduce physiologic motions may need to provide distinct means for controlling tibiofemoral motion in both extension and flexion. Recent studies of natural knee motions have made the implant designer's job more difficult!


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 147 - 147
1 Jan 2016
Yoshimoto E
Full Access

Introduction. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) has become a popular treatment alternative when one compartment of the knee is affected. Excellent intermediate results have been reported in association with the Miller-Galante unicompartmental implant. These excellent results are based on the development of the implants and the stringent patients selection. The functional cruciate ligaments has been a prerequisite for patients undergoing UKA. However, UKA can be one of the procedures in elderly patiants with deficient anterior cruciate ligaments(ACL) but with no symptoms of instability. The purpose of this report is to determine the clinical results after UKA in patients with ACL-deficient knees and compared those after UKA in ACL-intact knees. Patients and Methods. We identified 332 cases operated from May 2000 to April 2013 whose ACL were evaluated before the operation by MRI., and classified into ACL-deficient group and ACL-intact group. Fixed-bearing Miller-Galante Unicompartmental Knee System or Zimmer Unicompartmental High-Flex Knee Sytem was implanted in all patients. ACL-deficient group included 17 men and 68 women who had an average age of 79 years(range, 70–91 years) at the time of the operation. The underlying diagnosis was osteoarthritis for 77 knees and osteonecrosis for 8 knees. ACL-intact group included 49 men and 198 women who had an average age of 77 years(range, 60–88 years) at the time of the operation. The underlying diagnosis was osteoarthritis for 176 knees and osteonecrosis for 71 knees. Followup for ACL-deficient group was 3.5 years(1–8.8years), and 3.6years (1–13.2years) for ACL-intact group. Results. Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improved from 46.7points preoperatively to 76.5 points at the time of the latest followup in ACL deficient group, and 49.6 points to 81.5 points in ACL-intact group. 7 knees(8.2%) had a partial radiolucent line around the tibial component in ACL-deficient group, and 30 knees(12.6%) had a partial radiolucent line around the tibial component(30knees) or femoral component(one knee) in ACL-intact group, all of these radiolucent lines were <2mm in thickness and remained stable over time. Two knees(2.3%) in ACL-deficient group and five knees(2.0%) in ACL-intact group were revised because of progression of arthritis in the lateral tibiofemoral or patellofemoral components. All of the components in revised knees were well fixed and no polyethylene wear was seen at the time of revision. All of these results between two groups were not significantly different. Conclusion. Controversy exists about whether a functional ACL is necessary to achieve success with UKA. In classical indication, UKA should not be done in patients with symptoms of ACL instability. In elderly active patient with deficient ACL, we should prefer total knee arthroplasty. But UKA should judiciously be done in eldery patients with deficient ACL whose activity is low but with no symptoms of instability


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 3, Issue 4 | Pages 95 - 100
1 Apr 2014
Kaneyama R Otsuka M Shiratsuchi H Oinuma K Miura Y Tamaki T

Objectives

Because posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) resection makes flexion gaps wider in total knee replacement (TKR), preserving or sacrificing a PCL affects the gap equivalence; however, there are no criteria for the PCL resection that consider gap situations of each knee. This study aims to investigate gap characteristics of knees and to consider the criteria for PCL resection.

Methods

The extension and flexion gaps were measured, first with the PCL preserved and subsequently with the PCL removed (in cases in which posterior substitute components were selected). The PCL preservation or sacrifice was solely determined by the gap measurement results, without considering other functions of the PCL such as ‘roll back.’


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 4 - 4
1 Dec 2013
Andriacchi T
Full Access

Answering the question of what the patient can teach us about the future of joint replacement starts with a look to the past. The modern era of total joint replacement began in the late 1950's with the pioneering work of John Charnley that established the fundamental structure of a total joint replacement with a metal component bearing against polyethylene and provided many disabled patients with a substantial improvement in function. As the application of joint replacement expanded to a broader patient population it became apparent that a better understanding of the mechanics of patient function was needed to provide more rigorous design criteria and objective assessment of design changes. This presentation will examine how improvements in total knee replacement has been aided by objective measures of ambulatory function and the potential for future improvements in joint replacement that can be based on information from testing patients. Specifically, from a historical viewpoint one of the major problems limiting the use of total knee replacement in the 1970's was tibial component loosening. The problem of tibial component loosening could be related to the load imbalance between the medial and lateral surface of the tibia. The load asymmetry at the knee resulting from the adduction moment during gait provided a strong rationale for maintaining proper limb alignment following total knee arthroplasty. The analysis clearly showed that knees with a varus alignment of the mechanical axis were more likely to have a substantial load imbalance creating the type of stresses that would eventually lead to tibial component loosening. When the information from gait studies was combined with both clinical and biomechanical studies, tibial component designs were modified using metal backing of the polyethylene articulating surface and instrumentation was modified to allow for proper alignment of the mechanical axis and avoid residual varus deformity following total knee replacement. Similarly, knee kinematics and moments have been used to differentiate the functional characteristics of different types of designs during stair climbing. Patients with cruciate-sacrificing knee replacements had a tendency to reduce the moment sustained by the quadriceps by leaning forward during the portion of the support phase of ascending stairs when the quadriceps moment would reach a peak value, while patients with a posterior cruciate retaining design were able to sustain normal quadriceps function. The functional differences between the PCL-retaining and sacrificing designs were associated with the normal posterior movement of the femur on the tibia (rollback), with flexion. This finding indicated that TKR design must permit rollback in the early phases of knee flexion to sustain normal stair climbing. This presentation will conclude with a review of the functional performance of patients with an anterior cruciate deficient knee as a basis for addressing the future needs of a knee replacement to permit natural knee movement. Specifically the role of the anterior cruciate ligament will be discussed in the context of the interaction of the curvature of the articulating surfaces in maintaining a functional envelope of movement that is consistent with retaining both cruciate ligaments