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Comparison of results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a four-strand single semitendinosus or a semitendinosus and gracilis tendon

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purposes

To compare the clinical and functional results of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an autologous four-strand single semitendinosus (ST) tendon or a ST and gracilis tendon. It was hypothesized that successful ACL reconstruction using a single ST tendon without the gracilis tendon could provide comparable knee stability and reduce donor site morbidity.

Methods

This study evaluated 144 cases of single-bundle ACL reconstruction using an autologous hamstring tendon. The ST group included 85 cases of reconstruction using a single ST tendon, and the ST/G group included 59 cases of reconstruction using a ST tendon and a gracilis tendon. An extracortical suspension device and a suture tied around a screw post with an additional bioabsorbable screw were used to fix the femoral and tibial tunnels, respectively. Clinical evaluations involved the Lachman, pivot-shift, and one-leg hop tests; an isokinetic test; a KT-2000 arthrometer; an assessment of return to pre-injury activities; and Lysholm, Tegner activity, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores.

Results

No significant differences were found between the ST and ST/G groups with respect to the Lysholm, Tegner activity, and subjective IKDC scores; the Lachman, pivot-shift, and one-leg hop tests; KT-2000 arthrometer side-to-side differences; or return to pre-injury activities. However, mean peak torque deficit, as determined using the isokinetic test during flexion at 60°/s, was significantly lower in the ST group than in the ST/G group (p = 0.047).

Conclusion

This study showed good results for ACL reconstruction using a single ST tendon without deterioration of stability. This provides the evidence that ACL reconstruction using a single ST tendon without the gracilis tendon decreases donor site morbidity without compromising joint stability.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Kyungpook National University Research Fund, 2012.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 130 Dongduk-Ro Jung-Gu, Daegu, 700-721, Korea

    Hee-Soo Kyung, Hyun-Joo Lee, Chang-Wug Oh & Han-Pyo Hong

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  1. Hee-Soo Kyung
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  2. Hyun-Joo Lee
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  3. Chang-Wug Oh
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Correspondence to Hee-Soo Kyung.

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Kyung, HS., Lee, HJ., Oh, CW. et al. Comparison of results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a four-strand single semitendinosus or a semitendinosus and gracilis tendon. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 3238–3243 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3076-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3076-4

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