Rotational muscle strength of the limb after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using semitendinosus and gracilis tendon.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of harvesting semitendinosus and gracilis tendons on the rotational muscle strength of the limb after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study of 62 consecutive (34 male, 28 female) patients with ACL reconstructions using the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The mean age at surgery was 20.8 years. The semitendinosus tendon was harvested in 32 patients (ST group), and semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in 30 patients (STG group). The peak isokinetic torques for extension, flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation were measured before and 12 months after ACL reconstruction using the Cybex 6000B system (Cybex Division of Lumex, Ronkonkoma, NY). The rotational torque was measured at 30 degrees/sec and 120 degrees/sec.


RESULTS
Before reconstruction, the mean isokinetic peak torque of the involved limb was decreased in extension and internal rotation. The mean isokinetic peak torque of the involved limb in extension recovered 12 months after ACL reconstruction; however, the weakness in internal rotation persisted. The preoperative weakness of the involved limb in extension and internal rotation recovered in the male patients, but not in the female patients after postoperative rehabilitation. The peak torque of the involved limb in internal rotation was decreased in the STG group, but not in the ST group.


CONCLUSIONS
The internal rotational torque was influenced by harvesting the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons after ACL reconstruction, especially in female patients and patients from whom the gracilis tendon was harvested. Semitendinosus and gracilis tendons are important for the internal rotation of the limb and it was difficult to compensate for this function. Thus, we recommend harvesting the semitendinosus tendon only if tendon quality is sufficient to further minimize harvesting morbidity.
Segawa
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata Kobari Hospital, Niigata City, Japan. segawa@niigata-cc.niigata.niigata.jp
Omori
Go
G
Koga
Yoshio
Y
Kameo
Touru
T
Iida
Satoshi
S
Tanaka
Masaei
M
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D019415:Torque