Influence of thermofixation on artificial ACL ligament dimensional and mechanical properties

¹ Textile Research Unit, Institut Supérieur des Études Technologiques de Ksar Hellal, Tunisia
² École Nationale des Ingénieurs de Monastir, Tunisia
³ Institut National Mohammed Kassab d'Orthopédie, La Mannouba, Tunisia
⁴ Hopital Universitaire Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia

Corresponding author: saber_ba@yahoo.fr

Received: 15 July 2005
Revised: 18 September 2005
Accepted: 29 September 2005
Published online: 13 December 2005

Abstract

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the major articular ligamentous structure of the knee, it functions as a joint stabilizer. When ruptured, the natural ACL ligament can be replaced by a textile synthetic ligament such as a braid, knitted cord, or woven cord. Theses structures are composed of biocompatible materials such as polyester or Gore-Tex filaments. The success of an ACL replacement is widely linked to its mechanical and dimensional properties such as tensile strength, dimensional stability and resistance to abrasion. We introduced an additional treatment in the manufacturing of textile ACL ligaments based on the thermofixation of the textile structure by using textile industry stabilization techniques. Boiling water, saturated vapor and dry heat have been tested to stabilize a braided ligament made of Dacron polyester. The application of these three techniques led to shrinkage and an increase of breaking strength of the textile structure.