Hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: does gracilis tendon harvest matter?
OBJECTIVE
Hamstring tendon grafts are a popular choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Typical morbidity reported after hamstring tendon harvest is muscle weakness in flexion, and whilst still a matter for debate, this morbidity may be greater if the gracilis tendon is harvested in addition to the semitendinosus.                 This study sought to comprehensively compare the outcome of ACL reconstructions in which the semitendinosus was harvested alone (ST group) or with the gracilis (ST/G group).


METHODS
Twenty patients (ten ST, ten ST/G) were assessed with a variety of measures that included subjective scores, function, strength and tibial rotation as measured by gait analysis during a pivoting task.


RESULTS
Results showed that the graft diameter was significantly larger in the ST group, but there were no other differences between the groups for any other outcome measure.


CONCLUSIONS
Harvesting the gracilis in addition to semitendinosus does not appear to affect either the outcome or graft-related morbidity after hamstring ACL reconstruction.
Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden. bjorn.barenius@sodersjukhuset.se
Björn
B
Barenius
Webster Kate
WK
Webster
Jodie
J
McClelland
Julian
J
Feller
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult