BACKGROUND: The aim of modern techniques for anatomic reconstruction of the ACL is to reproduce ACL footprints, in order to restore anatomy and therefore normal biomechanics. Is there an oversizing of the hamstring grafts related to ACL dimensions? METHODS: Twenty-two paired cadaver knees were dissected. ACL dimensions at mid-portion and ACL footprints were measured after removing the synovial membrane. Hamstrings were harvested and prepared in a quadruple strand graft in order to measure the mean circumference. RESULTS: The average ACL tibial and femoral insertion site areas of the ACL were 117.9mm(2) (range, 90 to 130mm) and 96.8mm(2) (range, 80 to 121mm), respectively. The average diameter and cross sectional area of the ACL tendon at mid-portion were 6.1mm (range, 5 to 7mm) and 29.2mm(2) (range, 20 to 38.9), respectively. The average diameter and cross-sectional area of the 4-stranded hamstring tendons were 6.7 (range, 5 to 8) and 35.3mm(2) (range, 20 to 50), respectively. There was a correlation between the 4-stranded hamstring grafts and ACL dimensions (footprints, ligament at mid substance, p<0.01). The cross sectional area of hamstring tendon was significantly larger than the ACL area at mid-portion (mean 20.9%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: With current ACL reconstruction techniques, the graft is oversized at a mean of 21%, despite a good correlation between the ACL and the hamstring tendon, especially among small subjects and women. The question arises whether the anatomic reconstruction of the ACL should fill ACL footprints or mimic the ligament itself. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hamstrings grafts are significantly larger than native ACL.
BACKGROUND: The aim of modern techniques for anatomic reconstruction of the ACL is to reproduce ACL footprints, in order to restore anatomy and therefore normal biomechanics. Is there an oversizing of the hamstring grafts related to ACL dimensions? METHODS: Twenty-two paired cadaver knees were dissected. ACL dimensions at mid-portion and ACL footprints were measured after removing the synovial membrane. Hamstrings were harvested and prepared in a quadruple strand graft in order to measure the mean circumference. RESULTS: The average ACL tibial and femoral insertion site areas of the ACL were 117.9mm(2) (range, 90 to 130mm) and 96.8mm(2) (range, 80 to 121mm), respectively. The average diameter and cross sectional area of the ACL tendon at mid-portion were 6.1mm (range, 5 to 7mm) and 29.2mm(2) (range, 20 to 38.9), respectively. The average diameter and cross-sectional area of the 4-stranded hamstring tendons were 6.7 (range, 5 to 8) and 35.3mm(2) (range, 20 to 50), respectively. There was a correlation between the 4-stranded hamstring grafts and ACL dimensions (footprints, ligament at mid substance, p<0.01). The cross sectional area of hamstring tendon was significantly larger than the ACL area at mid-portion (mean 20.9%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: With current ACL reconstruction techniques, the graft is oversized at a mean of 21%, despite a good correlation between the ACL and the hamstring tendon, especially among small subjects and women. The question arises whether the anatomic reconstruction of the ACL should fill ACL footprints or mimic the ligament itself. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hamstrings grafts are significantly larger than native ACL.
Authors: Etienne Cavaignac; Regis Pailhé; Nicolas Reina; Jérôme Murgier; Jean Michel Laffosse; Philippe Chiron; Pascal Swider Journal: Int Orthop Date: 2015-11-05 Impact factor: 3.075
Authors: Danilo Menghini; Shankar G Kaushal; Sean W Flannery; Kirsten Ecklund; Martha M Murray; Braden C Fleming; Ata M Kiapour; Benedikt Proffen; Nicholas Sant; Gabriela Portilla; Ryan Sanborn; Christina Freiberger; Rachael Henderson; Samuel Barnett; Yi-Meng Yen; Dennis E Kramer; Lyle J Micheli Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2022-10-14
Authors: Barış Yılmaz; Güzelali Özdemir; Elif N Keskinöz; Gamze Tümentemur; Kemal Gökkuş; Bahtiyar Demiralp Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2016-12-26 Impact factor: 3.411