Mechanical Properties of Lower Limb Tendons and Ligaments in Primates

摘要

This report covers a study of the material property characteristics of four ligaments and tendons from the lower limbs of primates and is part of a three year study of the mechanical properties of soft connective tissues. The mechanical properties of the medial, collateral, and patellar ligaments of the knee and the flexor hallucis longus and tendo-calcaneus tendons of the ankle of the rhesus monkey, baboon, and chimpanzee were tested. The mechanical test program included establishment of initial tissue geometry, relaxation, constant strain rate, hysteresis, and cyclic relaxation tests. Long term preconditioning stability was monitored throughout the test program. Information on the mechanical properties of the ligaments and tendons is essential to the understanding of injuries that result from escape and crash episodes. Different primate species data will aid in the selection of animal models and interspecies scaling techniques.