Application of Raman scattering to the measurement of ligament tension.

More marginal results and complications occur as a result of knee ligament surgery than of other common surgical procedure. Long-term success rates of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction range between 75 and 90%. The goal of knee surgery is to restore the normal kinematics of the knee. If the tension is too high, the range of motion of the joint is restricted, resulting in abnormal stresses on the articular cartilage and the meniscuses, and interfering with the revascularization of the graft. The use of Raman spectroscopy for the measurement of tension in ligaments and tendons is described. Measurements of the Raman spectrum demonstrate that the Raman frequencies shift with applied tension.