Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging evidence of regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon harvested for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparison with hamstring muscle strength.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regeneration of semitendinosus tendons harvested for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging and to compare the degree of regeneration with hamstring strength.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using ipsilateral autogenous semitendinosus tendons were examined before surgery and 6 and 12 months after surgery by 3D CT imaging. The types of regenerated tendons and the proximal shift of the muscle-tendon junction were evaluated.


RESULTS
The types of regenerated semitendinosus tendons varied from case to case. There was a positive correlation between the peak torque ratio of the hamstring muscle strength and the proximal shift of the muscle-tendon junction 6 months after surgery. The proximal shift did not affect the peak torque ratio 12 months after surgery, however.


CONCLUSIONS
A proximal shift of the muscle-tendon junction may help to explain the individual differences in early postoperative hamstring muscle strength recovery.
Nakamae
Atsuo
A
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. nakamae@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Deie
Masataka
M
Yasumoto
Masanori
M
Adachi
Nobuo
N
Kobayashi
Kenji
K
Yasunaga
Yuji
Y
Ochi
Mitsuo
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D019415:Torque