title: [Is it possible to predict the length of knee flexor tendons by anthropometry?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the anthropometric data and the sportive way of life with the hamstring tendons dimensions, prospectively, in order to create a rule to predetermine its dimensions.
  
  
  METHODS
  General and anthropometric data were collected from 30 patients that were submitted to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These data were correlated to the diameter and length of the hamstring tendons. The data collected were: height, weight, age, knee lesion side, body mass, sportive training level, femoral length, tibia length, thigh circumference, and knee circumference. The correlation was made by Pearson coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistic significant correlation occurred only with height and tibia length versus the gracilis and semitendinous tendon length. Using linear regression the relations found could be expressed with the following formulas: semitendinous length = -2.276 + 0.177 x height; semitendinous length = 13.048 + 0.46 x tibia height; gracilis length = -9.413 + 0.207 x height; gracilis length = 7.036 + 0.583 x tibia height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to predetermine hamstring tendons length through linear regression formulas before surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica Cirúrgica, Universidade Federal do Paraná, BR. filho2000@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Edmar Stieven
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Eduardo B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namba
authors.forename: João Luiz Vieira da
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: Luis Eduardo Munhoz da
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Miguel Ângelo
authors.initials: MÂ
authors.lastname: Agulham
authors.forename: Luiz Antonio Munhoz da
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013177:Sports; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult