Open AccessRegeneration of hamstring tendons after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Author(s) -
Janssen Rob P. A.,
Velden Maria J. F.,
Pasmans Huub L. M.,
Sala Harm A. G. M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-012-2125-0
Subject(s) - hamstring , regeneration (biology) , medicine , tendon , semitendinosus muscle , gracilis muscle , anatomy , orthopedic surgery , anterior cruciate ligament , anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction , muscle belly , surgery , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Purpose Primary aim of the study was analysis of hamstring tendon regeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Secondary aim was analysis of isokinetic muscle strength in relation to hamstring regeneration. The hypothesis was that regeneration of hamstring tendons after ACLR occurs and that regenerated hamstring tendons contribute to isokinetic hamstring strength with regeneration distal to the knee joint line. Methods Twenty‐two patients scheduled for ACLR underwent prospective MRI analysis of both legs. MRI parameters were tendon regeneration and morphology, muscle retraction and muscle cross‐sectional area. A double‐blind, prospective analysis of isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength was performed. Results Regeneration of the gracilis tendon after ACLR occurred in all patients. Regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon occurred in 14 patients. At 1 year, the surface area of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscle decreased compared to both preoperatively ( P < 0.01) and the contralateral leg ( P < 0.01). The cross‐sectional area of the semitendinosus muscle decreased in the absence of tendon regeneration ( P = 0.05). The cross‐sectional area of the gracilis muscle was greater in case of regeneration distal to the joint line ( P = 0.01). Muscle retraction of the semitendinosus muscle was increased in case of nonregeneration ( P = 0.02). There was no significant relationship between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration. Conclusion Hamstring tendons regenerated after harvest of both semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for ACLR. There was no relation between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration. Level of evidence Prognostic study, Level II.