Biomechanical properties of braided polyester tapes intended for use as intra-articular cranial cruciate ligament prostheses in dogs

Objective-To determine the in vitro structural and material properties of b raided, multifilament, nonabsorbable polyester tapes, used for intra-articu lar stabilization of cranial cruciate ligament- (CCL-) deficient stifle joi nts in dogs, and compare those with proper ties of multifilament polyamide tapes. Sample Population-30 polyester tapes (width, 4 mm), 10 polyester tapes (wid th, 7 mm), and 30 polyamide tapes (width, 4 mm) were tested to failure. Cyc lic loading experiments were also performed, using 3 polyester tapes of eac h width. Procedure-Tapes were mounted in a tensile tester as single loops, simulatin g intra-operative conditions, and elongated to failure at 1,000 mm/min. Add itionally, the behavior of polyester tapes was tested at different elongati on rates. In a second series of experiments, biomechanical variables of the polyester tapes were measured after 25 sets of 2,000 cycles between physio logic force limits. Results-Mean (+/- SD) ultimate loads of the 4-mm wide polyamide tapes, 4-mm wide polyester tapes, and 7-mm wide polyester tapes were 266.48 +/- 13.19 301.78 +/- 16.92, and 726.40 +/- 37.74 N, respectively. Corresponding stiff nesses were 15.57 +/- 0.49, 21.63 +/- 2.19, and 34.85 +/- 2.66 N/mm, respec tively. Failure properties of polyester tapes were affected by previous cyc lic loading. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Polyester tapes of 4- or 7-mm widths sho uld be able to resist forces resulting from weight bearing in dogs, suggest ing that these tapes will be effective for stabilization of the stifle join t in dogs with a ruptured CCL.