An experimental set-up to assess knee stiffness: a pilot study

40ème congrès de la Société de Biomécanique, PARIS, FRANCE, 28-/10/2015 - 30/10/2015After the ankle, the knee is one of the most affected joints by sprains, particularly involving lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Lachman test is used to diagnose injury of the ACL. Several arthrometers allow objectifying this test as Rolimeter (Balasch et al. 1999), Telos (Garcés et al. 1995), KT-1000 (Daniel, Stone, et al. 1985), and KT-2000 (Daniel, Malcom, et al. 1985). Based on the results of these devices, the knee stiffness could theoretically be defined. Nevertheless, for a number of limitations (poor reproducibility and accuracy, static measurement), this kind of investigation is difficult. A new arthrometer, called GNRB (Genourob, Laval, France), appeared to overcome the limitations previously cited regarding the measurement of the anterior drawer (Lefevre et al. 2013; Collette et al. 2012). More recently, additional devices have also been developed by the same company to evaluate posterior translation and rotation of the tibia (with respect to the femur). The aim of this study was to propose a first investigation of these arthrometers, classically used to diagnose injury, to assess the knee stiffness