PURPOSE: The difference in ultimate strength between the quadriceps and patellar tendon could be reflected by different morphologic features. METHODS: Standardized samples of quadriceps and patellar tendons were harvested from 20 cadavers and were investigated via light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril-interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of collagen fibrils were analyzed. RESULTS: In comparison with the patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon showed a significantly higher fibril-interstitium ratio (P = .0004) and a higher fibroblast density (P = .0011). No differences regarding the thickness of collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of fibrils were found. CONCLUSIONS: The quadriceps tendon graft can provide approximately 20% more collagen than the patellar tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role in the better ultimate strength of the quadriceps tendon. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The detailed anatomic description of the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon explains the difference in their ultimate strength.
PURPOSE: The difference in ultimate strength between the quadriceps and patellar tendon could be reflected by different morphologic features. METHODS: Standardized samples of quadriceps and patellar tendons were harvested from 20 cadavers and were investigated via light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril-interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of collagen fibrils were analyzed. RESULTS: In comparison with the patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon showed a significantly higher fibril-interstitium ratio (P = .0004) and a higher fibroblast density (P = .0011). No differences regarding the thickness of collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of fibrils were found. CONCLUSIONS: The quadriceps tendon graft can provide approximately 20% more collagen than the patellar tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role in the better ultimate strength of the quadriceps tendon. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The detailed anatomic description of the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon explains the difference in their ultimate strength.
Authors: T Wehrhahn; M Ettinger; M Petri; E Liodakis; C Hurschler; U-V Albrecht; C Krettek; M Jagodzinski Journal: Unfallchirurg Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 1.000
Authors: Christopher P Emerson; Jessica M Bernstein; Fong Nham; Spencer Barnhill; Michael G Baraga; Eric Bogner; Jean Jose Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2019-05-16 Impact factor: 2.199
Authors: Harasees Singh; Isaac Glassman; Andrew Sheean; Yuichi Hoshino; Kanto Nagai; Darren de Sa Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2022-10-18 Impact factor: 4.114
Authors: Jennifer L Hunnicutt; John W Xerogeanes; Liang-Ching Tsai; Peter A Sprague; Michael Newsome; Harris S Slone; Mark A Lyle Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2020-11-11 Impact factor: 4.114
Authors: Jose R Perez; Christopher P Emerson; Carlos M Barrera; Dylan N Greif; William H Cade; Lee D Kaplan; Michael G Baraga Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-12-17