# IN VIVO MEASURING OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT STRAIN

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 1989 · $166,709

## Abstract

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are at epidemic
proportions especially in those involved in athletic endeavors.
However much diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation remain an
enigma because of controversy regarding ACL functions.  The
investigators will use a miniature transducer to measure ACL
strain in vivo.  The transducer is based on a Hall-effect principle
and will be arthroscopically inserted into the ACL in patients
undergoing arthroscopic surgery.  In all patients the ACL strain
will be computed as the knee is passively taken from full
extension to 120 degrees of flexion.  Strain will also be
established under active quadriceps and hamstring contractions.
These data will be used to establish the effect of muscle
contractions on strain, and will provide a basis for knee
rehabilitation regimens.  In addition, the electromyographic
activity of the hamstrings and quadriceps will be related to ACL
strain.  ACL strain in vivo will also be established under
varus/valgus and external and internal rotation torques and under
clinical knee function testing.  In some subjects the effect of
continuous passive motion on the strain in the ACL will be
established.  The ACL strain will also be measured during clinical
knee testing (Lachman and drawer) and this will be compared to
results obtained in a new clinical test machine, the Genucom.
The effect of knee rehabilitation machine, Cybex II, in straining
the ACL, will be established.  The ACL strain will also be
determined in various simulated activities of daily living and in
sporting activities.  Knee braces will be evaluated by establishing
the change of ACL strain with and without the braces.  These
data are expected to be extremely useful to those involved in the
evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of knee injuries.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3159192
- **Project number:** 5R01AR039213-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z94KLERAG5V9
- **Principal Investigator:** MALCOLM H POPE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $166,709
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-02-01 → 1992-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3159192

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3159192, IN VIVO MEASURING OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT STRAIN (5R01AR039213-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3159192. Licensed CC0.

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