ISSN:
1433-7347
Keywords:
ACL reconstruction
;
Semitendinosus and gracilis tendons
;
Morphometry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Sports Science
Notes:
Abstract The length and cross-sectional area of human semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were measured in both single- and multi-strand configurations for the purpose of anterior cruciate ligament graft preparation. The average lengths of the semitendinosus and the gracilis tendons were 235±20 mm (mean±SD) and 200±17 mm, respectively. The cross-sectional area of a doubled semitendinosus tendon (two strands) was significantly less than that of a 10-mm-wide patellar tendon graft (P〈0.001). The cross-sectional area of the tripled semitendinosus tendon (three strands) and the 10-mm-wide patellar tendon were similar. Doubling of the combined semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (four strands) and tripling of this combination (six strands) resulted in a significantly greater cross-sectional area in comparison to the 10-mm-wide patellar tendon (P〈0.05, four strands;P〈0.001 six strands). This investigation demonstrates that anterior cruciate ligament grafts fashioned using multiple-strand combinations of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons result in a cross-sectional area that is comparable to the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. This is an important finding since cross-sectional area reflects the intra-articular volume of collagenous tissue. This information should be helpful to surgeons considering using the hamstring tendons as an anterior cruciate ligament graft.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01560195
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