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Features of human autologous hamstring graft elongation after pre-tensioning in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

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Abstract

Purpose

Precise pre-tensioning protocol of the graft has not been determined in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aims of this study are to measure the human autologous graft elongation, and to reveal what portion of the graft elongated greater after pre-tensioning in ACL reconstruction.

Methods

Twenty-four hamstring tendon grafts which were harvested from patients were included. A continuous load of 150 N was applied to the graft twice for 30 seconds each (150 N-1 minute), and the same loading was repeatedly applied (150 N-2 minute). The amount of elongation of the tendon portion (Length T) and the stitched portion (Length S) were measured after each pre-tensioning.

Results

Length S gradually increased by 1.57 ± 0.67 mm after the 150 N-1 minute pre-tensioning and by 2.12 ± 0.76 mm after the 150 N-2 minute pre-tensioning, respectively. Length T was not significantly elongated after 150 N-1 min (p = 0.66) and 150 N-2 min (p = 0.59).

Conclusions

Graft elongation of the approximately 2 mm was observed, particularly in the stitched portion. It is necessary for a surgeon to focus on careful removal of slack from each stitch during suturing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan

    Masataka Fujii, Takayuki Furumatsu, Shinichi Miyazawa, Takaaki Tanaka, Hiroto Inoue, Yuya Kodama & Toshifumi Ozaki

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sumitomo Besshi Hospital, 3-1 Ojicho, Niihama, 792-8543, Japan

    Kenji Masuda & Noritaka Seno

Authors
  1. Masataka Fujii
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  2. Takayuki Furumatsu
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  3. Shinichi Miyazawa
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  4. Takaaki Tanaka
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  5. Hiroto Inoue
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  6. Yuya Kodama
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  7. Kenji Masuda
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  8. Noritaka Seno
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  9. Toshifumi Ozaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takayuki Furumatsu.

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Fujii, M., Furumatsu, T., Miyazawa, S. et al. Features of human autologous hamstring graft elongation after pre-tensioning in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 40, 2553–2558 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-016-3298-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-016-3298-9

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