Correlation between anthropometric data and length and thickness of the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles used for grafts in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative estimation of the length and diameter of the semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis (G) tendons can assist surgeons and allow them to have the opportunity to choose alternative grafts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI) or the patient's age and sex have any correlation with the thickness and the length of ST and G tendons.
METHODS: Data were gathered from 64 patients who underwent the surgical procedure of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the tendons of the ST and G muscles as grafts, between June 2012 and August 2013. Variables such as age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and length and diameter of the tendons of the ST and G muscles were analyzed.
RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the height and total diameter of the quadruple graft (r = 0.254; p = 0.043), total length of the ST tendon (r = 0.450; p < 0.01), diameter of the double ST (r = 0.270; p = 0.031), triple ST (r = 0.347; p = 0.005), length of G tendon (r = 0.249; p = 0.047) and diameter of the double-G (r = 0.258; p = 0.039). However, age (r = -0.015; p = 0.908), weight (r = 0.165; p = 0.193) and body mass index (r = 0.012; p = 0.926) showed no correlation.
CONCLUSION: Our results show that age, weight and BMI did not correlate with the diameter and length of the graft, while the height had a positive correlation with the total length of the flexor tendons and the diameter of the graft from the flexors (ST and G).

Introduction

The growing trend toward practicing sports, together with greater complexity of sports movements has increasingly been causing knee joint injuries to appear. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is among most commonly affected ligaments, and surgical treatment is chosen for most patients who present pain and instability. The autologous grafts most frequently used in ACL reconstructions are the patellar, gracilis (G), semitendinosus (ST) and quadriceps tendons. Each technique has its adherents and indications, and selecting the graft depends on many factors, including the surgeon's preference and the patient's age and level of activity. The surgical technique using the tendons of the ST and G muscles as grafts presents results that are similar to those from the patellar tendon technique and enable smoother and less painful rehabilitation. The main disadvantages of this technique include the individual variability in length and thickness of the graft from the tendons and the potential complications during graft harvesting.2, 3, 4, 5 After the tendons have been removed from the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles, and before the graft has been constructed, surgeons are faced with many possibilities for the final configuration of the graft. These include using the semitendinosus tendon in double, triple or quadruple form alone, or in double form in association with the tendon of the gracilis muscle, also in double form (thus making a quadruple graft), or even other combinations. Preoperative estimation of the length and diameter of the ST and G tendons may help and allow surgeons to have the opportunity to choose another graft option if the tendon that might be harvested does not meet the needs of a given patient. However, no method capable of precisely determining the length and diameter of ST and G tendons before ACL reconstruction surgery is performed has yet been described in the literature.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether anthropometric measurements such as the patient's height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age and sex would have any correlation with the thickness and length of the hamstring tendons (ST and G).

Materials and methods

This sample comprised patients who attended consultations with one of the three surgeons in our team who are accredited by the Brazilian Knee Surgery Society (SBCJ). For all of these patients, ACL reconstruction surgery was indicted. Out of 200 ACL reconstruction operations performed between June 2012 and August 2013, data were gathered from 64 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery in which the graft used was the tendons of the ST and G muscles. The operations were performed in three private-sector hospitals in Porto Alegre, by three surgeons who were specialists in knee surgery and members of the Brazilian Knee Surgery Society (SBCJ). Individuals who had undergone previous surgery on the same knee that was operated on this occasion, those with other associated ligament injuries, those in whom the gracilis tendon was not used in constructing the graft and those who did not agree to participate in the study or did not sign the informed consent statement were excluded from the sample. The study was conducted among patients who were evaluated through anamnesis, physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging, and for whom there was an indication for surgical reconstruction of the ACL in which the ST and G tendons were used to construct the graft. This investigation did not change the routine of steps to be followed during the surgical procedure indicated. The data-gathering did not add risk to the procedure. This study was approved by our university and by the research ethics committees of the institutions involved.

The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), length of the tendon of the semitendinosus muscle, length of the tendon of the gracilis muscle, diameter of the tendon of the semitendinosus muscle when folded in the middle (double) and in three parts (triple), diameter of the tendon of the gracilis muscle when folded in the middle (double) and the diameter of the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles when folded in the middle and grouped (quadruple).

Firstly, demographic data (age and sex) and anthropometric information (weight and height) reported at the time of the surgery were obtained and noted in the medical file. Soon afterwards, during the surgical procedure, measurements on the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles that were used for constructing the grafts were made.

The technique for obtaining the grafts during the ACL reconstruction surgery consisted of an oblique anteromedial incision in the proximal tibia, at the level of the insertion of the ST and G muscles. Following this, the tendon of the ST muscle was dissected and was then deinserted against the bone and removed using a graft extractor. The same procedure was repeated in relation to the tendon of the gracilis muscle. After the tendons had been prepared through removal of the muscle layer, the length (cm) and diameter (MM) of the grafts were obtained using a ruler and measuring cylinder that had previously been sterilized. The diameters of the semitendinosus and gracilis grafts were measured using a set of cylindrical tubes ranging in dimension from 6 to 12 mm, in steps of 0.5 mm between cylinders. Both of the tendons were measured. In the case of the tendon derived from the semitendinosus muscle, its total length and diameter were measured twice. Firstly, it was folded in the middle (double) and then it was folded into three parts (triple). The total length and diameter of the graft derived from the gracilis muscle were measured with the tendon folded in the middle (double). Lastly, the length and diameter of the two tendons folded in the middle and grouped together (quadruple) were measured. The measurements were made without suturing thread, which might have hindered obtaining the real dimensions of the tendons (Fig. 1, Fig. 2).

Fig. 1

Removal of flexor tendons.

Fig. 2

Measurement of graft diameter.

The data gathered were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics. IN the descriptive phase, means and standard deviations were used. In the analytical phase, the variables were compared in relation to the different lengths and diameters of the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles. The t test for independent samples was used to identify differences in the clinical and intraoperative variables. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and simple linear regression were used to determine the relationship between the result variables (diameter of the quadruple graft and the lengths of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons) and the predictive variables (age, sex, height, weight and BMI). Differences were considered to be significant when P values were less than 0.05. The analysis was done using the SPSS software, version 17.0.

Results

Among the 64 individuals analyzed between June 2012 and August 2013, 60 (94%) were male and four (6%) were female. The patients’ mean age was 31.78 ± 8.26 years (range: 15–48 years); among the females, it was 32 ± 13.49 years, and among the males, it was 31.76 ± 7.97 years. The mean height was 1.77 ± 0.08 cm (range: 1.52–1.96 cm); mean weight 82.43 ± 12.89 kg (range: 56–115 kg); and mean BMI 26.14 ± 3.74 (range: 21.60–37.55). The mean tendon lengths measured during the operation were 28.75 ± 2.91 cm (range: 23–36 cm) for the semitendinosus and 25.28 ± 3.81 cm (range: 14–34 cm) for the gracilis. The means tendon thicknesses (diameters) were 6.24 ± 0.75 mm (range: 4.5–8 mm) for the double semitendinosus; 7.32 ± 0.76 mm (range: 6–9 mm) for the triple semitendinosus; and 6.24 ± 0.75 mm (range: 4.5–8 mm) for the double gracilis. The mean total diameter of the quadruple tendon graft (ST and G) was 8.03 ± 0.72 mm (range: 7–10 mm). During the study period, we did not obtain any quadruple flexor grafts smaller than 7 mm or larger than 10 mm (Table 1).

Table 1

Results from measurements on anthropometric data.

Variables	Mean and standard deviation
Age (years)	31.78 ± 8.26 (15–48 years)
Height (m)	1.77 ± 0.08 (1.52–1.96 m)
Weight (kg)	82.43 ± 12.89 (56–115 kg)
BMI {weight (kg)/height2 (m)}	26.14 ± 3.74 (21.60–37.55)
Length of semitendinosus tendon (cm)	28.75 ± 2.91 (23–36 cm)
Double semitendinosus (mm)	6.24 ± 0.75 (4.5–8 mm)
Triple semitendinosus (mm)	7.32 ± 0.76 (6–9 mm)
Length of gracilis tendon (cm)	25.28 ± 3.81 (14–34 cm)
Double gracilis (mm)	5.16 ± 0.81 (4–7 mm)
Diameter of the quadruple graft from the flexor tendons (mm)	8.03 ± 0.72 (7–10 mm)

Total = 64 patients (60 males and four females).

In total, 75% of the patients had quadruple flexor grafts of diameter 7–8 mm, while 25% of the grafts were larger than 8 mm. The frequencies of different diameters of quadruple flexor grafts were as follows: 7 mm (22%), 7.5 mm (3%), 8 mm (50%), 9 mm (23.5%) and 10 mm (1.5%) (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Distribution of the diameters of quadruple grafts from flexors.

There were positive correlations between height and the total diameter of the quadruple graft from the flexor tendons (r = 0.254; p = 0.043); total length of the semitendinosus tendon (r = 0.450; p < 0.01); diameter of the double semitendinosus (r = 0.270; p = 0.031); diameter of the triple semitendinosus (r = 0.347; p = 0.005); total length of the gracilis tendon (r = 0.249; p = 0.047); and diameter of the double gracilis (r = 0.258; p = 0.039). However, age (r = −0.015; p = 0.908), weight (r = 0.165; p = 0.193) and body mass index (r = 0.012; p = 0.926) did not present any correlation with the total diameter of the quadruple graft or with the lengths of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (Table 2).

Table 2

Correlation of the dimensions of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons with anthropometric variables and age.

Tendons	Age (years)	Weight (kg)	Height (m)	BMI (kg/m2)
	rp	rp	rp	rp
Total length of gracilis (cm)	0.064	0.221	0.249	0.076
	0.613	0.079	0.047a	0.550
Double gracilis (mm)	−0.141	0.233	0.258a	0.101
	0.265	0.063	0.039	0.427
Total length of semitendinosus (cm)	0.171	0.214	0.450	−0.063
	0.177	0.089	0.000a	0.621
Double semitendinosus (mm)	−0.054	0.256a	0.270a	0.116
	0.671	0.041	0.031	0.361
Triple semitendinosus (mm)	0.132	0.176	0.347a	−0.030
	0.300	0.164	0.005	0.812
Thickness of quadruple graft (mm)	−0.015	0.165	0.254	0.012
	0.908	0.193	0.043a	0.926

r, Pearson's correlation test; p, significance of Pearson's correlation test.

p < 0.05.

Discussion

Use of flexor tendon grafts has become an increasingly popular choice among orthopedic surgeons for ACL reconstructions. Anatomical studies have demonstrated that the mean diameter of the normal ACL is approximately 11 mm, with a range from 6 to 12 mm. Although the parameters for acceptable graft size that are necessary in order to achieve a satisfactory result after ACL reconstruction have not been clearly defined, a diameter of at least 7 mm has traditionally been recommended.7, 8, 9 However, in a recent study, greater incidence of ACL reconstruction failure was shown with grafts smaller than 8 mm. Studies on animal models that evaluated the influence of graft diameter on graft strength and resistance have demonstrated that in grafts smaller than 8 mm, failure due to tearing of the tendon material occurs, while in grafts larger than 10 mm, failure occurs at the fixation screws, due to traction. Thus, a capacity to predict which patients present greater risk of having hamstring tendons of insufficient diameter, before the operation, may be beneficial for surgical planning, thereby avoiding disagreeable intercurrences during the operation.7, 8, 9, 10

In our patients, we used a variety of graft combinations, such as triple ST alone, quadruple ST alone, double ST with double G, triple ST with double G and triple ST with triple G. The aim was always to seek grafts of diameter greater than 8 mm, of adequate length.

The capacity to predict the diameter and length of the graft may be useful for certain surgical techniques and may provide options for the surgeon. Through a biomechanical study, Hamner et al. demonstrated that the resistance, stiffness and biomechanical properties of the graft tendon are affected by its diameter. However, the results from the few studies in the literature correlating patients’ anthropometric data with the length and diameter of flexor grafts continue to be contradictory.

In our study, we investigated the predictive value of simple anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, BMI and age in relation to the lengths of the semitendinosus and gracilis flexor tendons and the diameter of the quadruple graft from the flexors. Our results showed that age, weight and BMI did not correlate with the length or diameter of the graft, while height had a positive correlation with the total length of the grafts from the semitendinosus (r = 0.450; p < 0.01) and gracilis (r = 0.249; p = 0.047), and also with the diameter of the quadruple graft from the flexors (r = 0.254; p = 0.043). A deeper analysis using step-by-step regression revealed that height was the clinical parameter of greatest importance for predicting the thickness of the graft.

Tuman et al. analyzed 106 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and reported that among the anthropometric data analyzed in their study, such as height, weight, sex and age, height was the best predictor for the diameter of grafts from the hamstrings in both sexes, and particularly among women. From their analysis, they concluded that women presented graft diameters that were significantly smaller than those of men, and that in patients whose height was less than 147 cm, it was likely that the graft would be insufficient, with a diameter of less than 7 mm.

Ma et al. retrospectively analyzed preoperative anthropometric data from 536 patients. Their results showed that height and sex were significant predictors for the diameter of flexor tendon grafts. Male patients had grafts that were significantly larger than those of females. It was also demonstrated that height was a specific indicator solely for the men, without any significant results for the women.

In a study on 119 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction, Schwartzberg et al. reported that there was a strong correlation between leg length and the length of the flexor tendons used as grafts (r = 0.73; p < 0.001). In the same study, weight (r = 0.51; p < 0.001) and leg length (r = 0.42; p < 0.001) only showed moderate correlations with graft diameter. All the other correlations were weak in relation to height. Weight measurements and age did not show any relationship with the length and diameter of the flexor tendons, and these findings were concordant with the results reported by Schwartzberg et al.

In analyses by Treme et al. on the length and diameter of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons of 50 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction, a strong correlation was found between the length of the graft and the patient's height and lower-limb length. The diameter of the graft was correlated with the patient's weight and thigh circumference.

Although our study did not confirm all the positive correlations of other studies,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 our results favored the notion that individual anthropometric variables such as height may be predictors for the length and diameter of the flexor tendons (ST and G) that are used in ACL reconstruction. Our results also showed that height had a positive correlation with the total length of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons and with the diameters of double ST, triple ST, double G and quadruple grafts, and they were also concordant with the findings of Tuman et al. Moreover, our results demonstrated that height was the most important variable, especially among women, whereas Schwatzberg et al. found that height had a weak correlation with thigh diameter and that weight and lower-limb diameter had a moderate correlation with graft diameter.

There is limited evidence in the literature correlating the patient's fitness and physical activity level with the length and diameter of the flexor tendons. Treme et al. reported that they had not found any correlation between the diameter of the flexor grafts and the patient's sports and activity levels. Similar results were recorded by Pichler et al. in their study on cadavers.

Other studies in the literature have used radiological imaging examinations such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an attempt to predict the length and diameter of flexor grafts before the operation. Although some studies have shown good correlations between measurements of cross-sectional area and tendon thickness, others have not shown any correlation.18, 19, 20 Nevertheless, the lack of standardization in relation to the level at which measurements are made and regarding the trustworthiness and precision of the examinations gives rise to limitations that make the results obtained questionable. Yasumoto et al. analyzed the preoperative length of the semitendinosus tendon using 3D computed tomography and were able to predict the length of the tendon. However, they did not find any relationship between the images and the diameters. The study by Hamada et al. showed that MRI was impractical for evaluating the sizes of the tendons, given that a long sweep time would be needed and the cost is high.

Conclusion

The capacity to precisely predict the length and diameter of the hamstring tendons (ST and G) used in ACL reconstructions continues to be an important factor in decision-making and in choosing the best surgical technique and the appropriate graft. Our results showed that age, weight and BMI did not correlate with the diameter and length of the graft, while height showed a positive correlation with the total length of the flexor tendons and with the diameter of the graft from the flexors (ST and G).

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.