NEUROVASCULAR ANATOMY AFTER ANTERIOR CRUC IATE LIGAMENT ALLOGRAFT TRANSPLANTATION

A multiplicity of surgical operations have been developed in an attemp t to achieve satisfactory function after ACL repair. None of these pro cedures have been able to duplicate the fiber organization, attachment site anatomy, vascularity, or function of the ACL. 18 foxhounds recei ved a deep frozen bone-ACL-bone allograft and a ligament augmentation device (LAD). Neurohistological changes were evaluated 3, 6, and 12 mo nths following implantation. Modified silver impregnation method and g old chloride technique were used to examine the presence of nerve endi ngs and axons. Two morphological distinct mechanoreceptors were identi fied, and then were catogorized as follows: free nerve-endings golgi-l ike tendon receptors. Fine nerve endings were frequently ramified free ly into ligament collagen bundles. Nerves and blood vessels were commo nly associated. Like in normal ACL's both neuroreceptors were mostly l ocated near the surface of the allografts and at both bony attachments . This study demonstrated the first histological evidence of viable me chanoreceptors and free nerve-endings in transplantated ACL-allografts , not previously reported in other ACL-substitutes using for ACL-recon struction. Particurely important for post-op. rehabilitation, this tec hnique may allow to reconstruct the proprioreceptive functions of norm al anterior cruciate ligaments.