Fig 1. Preparation and material testing setup for the investigation of the stress-strain properties of the ilio-, ischio- and pubofemoral ligaments.

(A) Partially plastinated ligaments of hip capsule. (B) Attached partially-plastinated tissue sample to the testing machine (C) Example of a stress-strain curve. The elastic modulus was represented by means of a secant modulus. It was calculated as ratio of Δσ10% (last 10% of stress values) and according strain values Δε: elastic modulus = Δσ10% / Δε.