An ovine model of cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction

Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) reconstruction was performed in forty-eight sheep, to evaluate an absorbable tibial fixation device (Gunze Ltd. Japan/Zimmer Japan). Forty-four (91.6%) were available for end-point evaluation. A medial subpatellar arthrotomy was utilized with graft placeme nt accomplished using the Acufex Graftmaster system (Acufex, Mansfield, MA) . A prosthesis was implanted consisting of looped superficial flexor tendon autograft joined to a Leeds-Keio ligament (LK-15). Femoral fixation was ac complished with an endobutton and tibial fixation with staples. Individuals were required to weight-bear immediately following recovery from anaesthes ia and in so doing mimic the early mobilization practices currently in vogu e in humans following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. An analgesia protocol involving intraarticular sensory blockade and intrave nous agents was utilized and appeared effective in the provision of adequat e levels of comfort postoperatively. The model has allowed a significant am ount of relevant data to be obtained prior to clinical trials in humans.