title: Regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon after its harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: The semitendinosus muscle has a unique anatomical structure. Its long and strong distal tendon is frequently selected as a material for autogenous grafts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The article provides an overview of literature concerning the little known process of spontaneous regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon after its harvesting. Subsequent to harvesting, the muscle devoid of its distal tendon demonstrates regeneration potential. It sends an outgrowth which is structurally very similar to the original tendon. This process is observed in the majority of patients. This tendon-like structure usually attaches to fascial structures below the knee joint. There are suggestions that partial functional recovery of the muscle from which the tendon has been harvested is possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Descriptive and Clinical Anatomy, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Dawid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dziedzic
authors.affiliation: Department of Descriptive and Clinical Anatomy, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ciszek
mesh_terms: D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods; D000070633:Hamstring Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000070632:Hamstring Tendons / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome