Anterolateral ligament reconstruction with autologous grafting: A biomechanical study

Abstract Background To evaluate the reliability of the Iliotibial band compared to gracilis tendon as a graft to be used in anterolateral ligament reconstruction. Methods Gracilis tendon and a strip of Iliotibial band compared were harvested from 8 fresh human cadaveric knees. The gracilis tendon was prepared to obtain a graft of 10 cm in length (Group 1). Iliotibial band compared was prepared to obtain a graft of 10 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width from the middle portion (Group 2). All the specimens were fixed on a servo hydraulic tensile machine with dedicated cryo-clamp. The loading protocol, used to compare the previously published results of ultimate failure load and Stiffness of the anterolateral ligament (Group 3), included a cyclic preconditioning between 10 and 25 N at 0.1 Hz for 10 cycles and then a load to failure test at 20 mm/min. Findings Gracilis tendon showed higher Ultimante Failure Load and stiffness when compared to a strip of Iliotibial band. Gracilis tendon and a strip of Iliotibial band compared showed higher Ultimante Failure Load and stiffness when compared with native anterolateral ligament as reported by Kennedy. Interpretation Both grafts tested in the present studies are suitable for an anatomical anterolateral ligament reconstruction.