In vitro Evaluation of Labral Seal after Labrum Reconstruction.

Objectives:The objective of this study was to quantify labral seal in labrum reconstructed joints by measuring the suction force, and compare them to the same joints with intact labrum and torn labrum.Methods:Six cadaveric specimens of hemi-pelvis with proximal femur were obtained for the study from musculoskeletally normal donors (mean age: 54.5 yrs, range 46-61 yrs). Full pelvis specimens were first skeletonized and potted onto a custom mounting jig secured at the iliac wings using bolts and dental cement. The mounting jigs consisted of a metal bracket system which allowed the hemipelvis to rotate anteriorly and posteriorly. A pullout handle with a 6-axis load cell (AMTI, Watertown, MA) on board was fixed in the lateral aspect of the femur, 1-inch below the greater trochanter. Manual pullout was performed along the axis of femoral neck, while suction force induced by the negative pressured measured by the load cell was recorded at a rate of 100 Hz. The width of the intact labrum was measured with a rule...