Unique Robotic Studies Advance Knowledge of ACL Reconstruction

Dr. Noyes and scientists at the Cincinnati Sportsmedicine and Orthopaedic Center and the University of Cincinnati recently published a series of three scientific journal articles featuring a robotic knee testing system. Using cadaver knee specimens, the robot was used to perform precise measurements of different motions and rotations that occurred within the knee under normal conditions (all ligaments intact) and then after the ACL was cut to simulate a complete ligament tear.

The robotic system was developed by Dr. Edward Grood of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Colleges of Medicine and Engineering, at the University of Cincinnati. These studies will advance the understanding of the complex problems associated with ACL injuries and will eventually help improve surgical reconstruction methods.

Article citations:

Noyes FR, Grood ES, Harm SP, Jette AM, Gardner EJ, Levy MS: Anterior cruciate ligament function in providing rotational stability assessed by medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartment translations and subluxations. Am J Sports Med, ePub 9/24/14.

Garder EJ, Noyes FR, Jetter AW, Grood ES, Harm SP, Levy MS: Effect of anteromedial and posterolateral ACL bundles on resisting medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartment subluxations. Arthroscopy, ePub 2/4/15.

Harm SP, Noyes FR, Jetter AW, Grood ES, Levy MS, Gardner EJ: Anatomic single graft ACL reconstruction restores rotational stability: a novel robotic study in cadaveric knees. In press, Arthroscopy, 2015.