HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Drez, D. Articles by Young, J. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Drez, D., JR Articles by Young, J. C.

In vivo measurement of anterior tibial translation using continuous passive motion devices

Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

Russell M. Paine, PT

Rehabilitation Services of Lake Charles

David C. Neuschwander, MD

Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

John C. Young, PhD

McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Early motion protocols following anterior cruciate re construction often use continuous passive motion de vices. There is concern that these devices may induce undesired anterior translation of the tibia and resulting graft stretching or rupture. This study measured the amount of anterior tibial translation that occurred during one cycle in 10 different brands of continuous passive motion devices. Five patients with ACL deficient knees participated in this study. Anterior translation was re corded by using an electrogoniometer with four degrees of freedom (Knee Signature System).

Anterior translation measurements were also re corded for a 20 pound Lachman test in these same five patients using the Knee Signature System. Two of the devices showed anterior translation measurements that approached the recorded 20 pound Lachman values. These two devices had a high calf bar for the primary support of the leg. The results indicate that, when using a continuous passive motion device for early postop erative management of the reconstructed ACL in a patient, use of a calf-supporting type of continuous passive motion could induce an undesired strain of the healing graft.