关节镜下同种异体胫前肌腱同期重建前后交叉韧带的疗效分析

目的 探讨关节镜下运用同种异体胫前肌腱同期重建前、后交叉韧带(ACL、PCL)的方法和疗效.方法 2007年1月至2009年1月共收治13例膝关节ACL、PCL损伤患者,男9例,女4例;年龄23～57岁,平均37.5岁;左膝8例,右膝5例.均采用关节镜下同种异体胫前肌腱重建ACL、PCL,股骨端用可吸收界面挤压螺钉固定,胫骨端用Intrafix固定.同时处理合并的半月板、侧副韧带损伤.术前按照国际膝关节文献委员会(IKDC)综合评价患膝功能:均为D级.Lysholm评分平均为(42.0±1.3)分.结果 13例患者术后获14～27个月(平均20.4个月)随访,患膝功能均明显改善,1例体榆仍有阳性体征,无免疫排斥反应发生.末次随访时IKDC综合评价结果:A级6例(46%),B级5例(38%),C级2例(16%).末次随访时Lysholm评分平均为(93.0±2.7)分,与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 关节镜下同期完成ACL、PCL重建,能及时恢复膝关节的正常解剖关系,临床疗效较好.     

关节镜下自体骨-髌腱-骨重建前交叉韧带疗效分析

目的探讨自体骨-髌腱-骨（BPTB）在前交叉韧带（ACL）损伤移植重建的临床疗效。方法256例ACL断裂患者行自体BPTB重建,对获得随访患者的临床资料进行回顾性研究,采用Lysholm膝关节功能评分法和IKDC评分法评定膝关节功能恢复情况。结果193例获得随访,时间632（17±3）个月,患者膝不稳症状均消失,关节功能恢复良好。Lysholm膝评分平均积分由术前的（66.3±6.1）分提高到术后的（88.3±5.9）分,IKDC评分由术前的79%降低为术后的4%,P〈0.01。16例术后合并膝前疼痛,51例长期感觉伸膝乏力,2例膝关节松弛。结论BPTB重建ACL临床疗效满意,但仍有膝前疼痛和伸膝乏力的并发症。     

关节镜下先进人工韧带加强系统和四股自体半腱肌腱重建前交叉韧带的疗效比较

目的 比较关节镜下应用先进人工韧带加强系统(ligament advanced reinforcement system,LARS)和4股自体半腱肌腱重建膝关节前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)的疗效,探讨LARS重建ACL的临床效果.方法 2002年7月-2005年4月,分别采用LARS和4股自体半腱肌腱于关节镜下重建42例ACL断裂患者.半腱肌腱组(27例):男22例,女5例;年龄20～52岁.运动伤12例,交通伤8例,其他损伤7例.左膝16例,右膝11例.Lysholm膝关节评分为(50.70 ±6.68)分.病程2～12个月.LARS组(15例):男12例,女3例;年龄17～40岁.运动伤8例,交通伤4例,其他损伤3例.左膝6例,右膝9例.Lvsholm膝关节评分为(50.20±6.22)分.病程3～12个月.两组患者间各项指标差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结果 两组患者术后伤口均Ⅰ期愈合,无并发症发生.半腱肌腱组均获随访22～43个月,LAPS组均获随访18～40个月.术后12个月,半腱肌腱组5例(19%)患者屈膝30°时双膝差距>3 mm;LARS组3例(20%)>3 mm.半腱肌腱组Lysholm评分(87.80±3.41)分;LARS组为(88.90±3.30)分,组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).参考Cameron等改良Lysholm评分的分级标准,半腱肌腱组:优18例,良7例,可2例,优良率为92.6%;LARS组优11例,良3例,可1例,优良率为93.3%;组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).Tegner运动评级标准:半腱肌腱组3～6级,平均4.93级;LARS组3～7级,平均5.03级;组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).半腱肌腱组中2例伸膝角度较对侧差约5°,5例屈膝较对侧差5～10°;LARS组患者关节活动度均恢复正常;组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).两组患者均未出现急慢性滑膜炎表现.结论 LARS重建ACL可取得与4股自体半腱肌腱相同的近期疗效,且明显缩短康复时间,随访2年未发现移植术后有滑膜炎等不良反应发生.     

青少年患者前交叉韧带断裂的重建

目的 总结一组青少年患前交叉韧带断裂后利用骨—髌腱—骨进行关节镜下重建的经验。方法 回顾性研究1996年～2000年23例青少年前交叉韧带断裂在纽约关节病医院行骨—髌腱—骨重建。采用Lysholm及IKDC评分系统评定临床疗效。结果 随访26月～63月，平均随访37月，Lysholm评分平均94分，21例膝关节功能恢复到损伤前的正常活动水平。IKDC评分18例(78．3％)膝关节功能正常，3例(13．0％)一般，2例(8．7％)较差。无1例在随访时有关节不稳定的表现。结论 骨—髌腱—骨法重建前交叉韧带同样适用于青少年患，术中应特别注意两端骨块的固定。     

关节镜下骨-髌腱-骨移植重建前十字韧带

目的关节镜下以可吸收界面螺钉固定骨-髌腱-骨(bone-patellartendon-bone,BPB)重建膝前十字韧带(ACL),并分析影响疗效的因素。方法1999年12月～2003年6月,采用关节镜下可吸收界面螺钉固定BPB移植修复ACL损伤32例,男22例,女10例;年龄20～45岁,平均32.5岁;左膝18例,右膝14例。急性损伤8例,陈旧性损伤24例。术前膝关节功能Lysholm评分平均为(52.1±5.6)分。行膝前小切口切取BPB并修整,建立骨隧道,安放胫骨侧骨块时外旋90°以适应ACL前内和后外两束的解剖结构和生理功能,采用可吸收界面螺钉固定BPB两端骨块。同时,在关节镜下处理合并损伤。术后早期行CPM功能锻炼。结果32例患者均获随访,随访6～40个月,平均32个月。采用改良Lysholm评分标准评价疗效:优24例,良7例,可1例;术后膝关节功能Lysholm评分为(98.7±3.6)分,与术前相比差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论关节镜下可吸收界面螺钉固定BPB移植重建ACL是一种微创手术,操作简单,疗效肯定。     

自体骨-腱-骨移植物与LARS人工韧带重建前交叉韧带的比较

目的比较自体骨-腱-骨(BPTB)和LARS人工韧带重建前交叉韧带(ACL)的效果。方法对59例ACL断裂患者采用自体BPTB重建ACL 29例(BPTB组),采用LARS人工韧带重建ACL 30例(LARS组)。按Lysholm、Tegner、IKDC评分系统和KT-1000检查评估功能。结果 59例均获随访,时间30～36个月。术后BPTB组和LARS组Lysholm评分分别为92.90分±9.10分和94.00分±6.87分;Tegner评分分别为5.76分±1.12分和6.07分±1.14分;KT-1000检查松弛分别为2.63 mm±2.16 mm和2.36 mm±2.08 mm。术后IKDC评分:BPTB组正常14例,接近正常11例,不正常4例;LARS组正常18例,接近正常8例,不正常4例。两组各项结果比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论自体BPTB和LARS人工韧带重建ACL均能够获得满意的临床效果。     

游离半腱肌腱髌旁锚钉固定加强膝内侧髌股韧带治疗复发性髌骨脱位

目的 探讨游离半腱肌腱髌旁锚钉固定加强膝内侧髌股韧带治疗复发性髌骨脱位的疗效.方法 1999年3月至2008年1月共收治57例复发性髌骨脱位患者,男19例,女38例;年龄17～29岁,平均24.3岁;首次脱位至手术时间为1～4年,平均2.6年.行髌内侧支持带和髌股韧带修补手术15例(A组),经髌骨骨隧道自体游离半腱肌腱重建内侧髌股韧带19例(B组),自体游离半腱肌腱髌旁锚钉固定加强膝内侧髌股韧带23例(C组).术后12个月按照Insall标准和Lysholm评分评价结果,并比较3种术式的疗效.结果 所有患者术后获12～37个月(平均18个月)随访.术前与术后12个月Lysholm评分A组平均分别为(80.3±2.9)、(89.6±3.7)分,B组平均分别为(80.9±3.1)、(94.6±3.4)分,C组平均分别为(81.2±3.9)、(93.6±4.1)分,3组患者术前与术后12个月Lysholm评分比较差异均有统计学意义(P>0.05).3组患者之间术前Lysholm评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后12个月B组与C组Lysholm评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但均优于A组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).3组患者疗效按Insall标准评定:优良率分别为80.0%、94.7%、95.6%,3组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 锚钉固定技术加强膝内侧髌股韧带的方式具有手术方式简单、损伤小、髌骨稳定性好、并发症少等优点,是治疗复发性髌骨脱位的一种良好选择.     

重建内侧髌股韧带治疗复发性髌骨脱位

目的:探讨重建内侧髌股韧带治疗复发性髌骨脱位的中期效果。方法:2007年2月至2010年1月,复发性髌骨脱位65例,男6例,女59例;年龄17～24岁,平均20岁;右膝35例,左膝30例。全部取自体同侧半腱肌重建内侧髌股韧带。手术前后采用Lysholm及Tegner进行功能评分,影像学采用Congruence角及Sulcus角评分。结果:全部病例获随访,时间15～23个月,平均20个月,无膝关节髌骨半脱位或脱位。Lysholm膝关节功能评分从术前的(60.6±3.7)分升至(89.8±4.6)分(t=-15.58,P=0.00);IKDC评分从术前的平均(40.0±3.5)分升至(82.0±3.6)分(t=-27.44,P=0.00);Tegner评分从术前的平均(3.6±0.4)分升至(5.6±0.3)(t=-10.84,P=0.00);Congruence角由术前的平均(26.4±3.9)°降至(4.3±1.8)°(t=16.15,P=0.00);Sulcus角由术前的平均(148.8±2.0)°降至术后的(140.5±1.6)°(t=10.51,P=0.00)。结论:重建内侧髌股韧带治疗复发性髌骨脱位能提供足够的张力,维持髌骨稳定性。     

LARS韧带重建前交叉韧带的近期疗效

目的探讨LARS韧带重建前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)的手术方法和近期疗效。方法回顾分析2008年11月-2010年4月于关节镜下采用LARS韧带重建并获完整随访的80例ACL损伤患者临床资料。男51例,女29例;年龄17～43岁,平均29.2岁。致伤原因:运动伤63例,交通事故伤14例,重物砸伤3例。左膝43例,右膝37例。病程10 d～11个月。前抽屉试验、Lachman试验和轴移试验均为阳性。术前Lysholm、Irgang、Larson评分分别为(55.4±5.7)、(48.3±6.2)、(54.8±7.4)分,国际膝关节评分委员会(IKDC)评分均低于正常值。MRI检查显示ACL损伤。术中保留ACL残余纤维束。结果术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无感染、下肢深静脉血栓形成等术后早期并发症发生。80例均获随访,随访时间7～24个月,平均16.8个月。术后3例股骨侧螺钉外露,2例胫骨侧螺钉松动,1例伸膝受限,均对症处理。随访期间均无LARS韧带断裂、关节纤维化等并发症发生。末次随访时前抽屉试验阳性2例,Lachman试验阳性3例,轴移试验阳性3例。术后6周及末次随访时Lysholm、Irgang、Larson评分与术前比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后6周及末次随访时IKDC评分正常率分别为43.75%(35/80)及97.50%(78/80)。结论 LARS韧带黏弹性较差,术中需要在偏伸直位固定避免屈曲受限,屈曲位允许移植物有轻微松弛,掌握其特殊手术技巧后重建ACL能获得较好的近期疗效。     

关节镜下髌韧带和六股异体腘绳肌腱单束重建前交叉韧带的临床研究

目的 比较关节镜下采用髌韧带和六股异体腘绳肌腱单束重建前交叉韧带的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2006年10月至2009年12月我科采用关节镜下异体移植物单束重建前交叉韧带(ACL)的108例患者的临床资料,其中六股异体腘绳肌腱58例(腘绳肌腱组),异体髌韧带50例(髌韧带组).术后应用Lachman和pivot-shift试验以及KT-1000评估膝关节稳定性,按照国际膝关节评分委员会(IKDC)、Lysholm膝关节评分评价膝关节功能.结果 术后患者随访时间12～38个月,平均为28.6个月.腘绳肌腱组KT-1000检查示双侧膝关节前向松弛度差异为(1.2±1.2)mm,显著小于髌韧带组(1.8±1.5)mm,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).腘绳肌腱组轴移试验阴性55例(94.8%),阳性3例(5.2%),髌韧带组阴性41例(82.0%),阳性9例(18.0%),差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).术后腘绳肌腱组和髌韧带组IKDC评分为(90±5)分和(89±5)分,Lysholm评分为(94±5)分和(93±6)分,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 关节镜下单束重建前交叉韧带采用六股异体腘绳肌腱较髌韧带能够明显提高膝关节稳定性.

Abstract：

Objective To compare the outcome of arthroscopic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction with six-strand hamstring tendon and patellar tendon allograft.Methods From October 2006 to December 2009,108 patients with arthroscopic single-bundle ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed,with 58 patients with six-strand hamstring tendon(Group H),and 50 patients with patellar tendon allograft(Group P).Patients were available for clinical evaluation with KT-1000 arthrometer measurements,Lachman and pivot-shift test,and knee function with the Internationa]Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC),Lysholm scores.Results All the patients were followed up at an average of 28.6 months(range 12-38 months).The average side-to-side difference was lesser for group H(1.2 ± 1.2)mm than group P(1.8 ±1.5)mm(P＜0.05).On the pivot-shift test,55(94.8%)patients were negative and 3(5.2%)were positive in group H,whereas 41(82.0%)were negative and 9(18.0%)were positive in group P,with significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).All knee function scores were improved postoperatively,without statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Arthroscopic single-bundle ACL reconstruction with six-strand hamstring tendon will achieve better knee stability than patellar tendon allograft.     

自体胭绳肌腱和骨-髌腱-骨移植重建前交叉韧带的比较

目的前瞻性、随机对照研究应用自体胭绳肌腱、骨-髌腱-骨移植重建前交叉韧带的临床效果。方法选择2008年1月至2010年1月青岛市市立医院（东院区）骨科、莱阳市中心医院骨科确诊的前交叉韧带损伤患者137例为研究对象,随机分为A、B两组。A组采用自体骨-髌腱-骨移植,B组采用自体胭绳肌腱移植,随访两组患者的手术情况、手术前后膝关节活动度、膝关节稳定性、Lysholm评分、国际膝关节评分委员会评分及应用KNEELEX3测试膝关节屈曲30。和90。时胫骨端前移的距离,并进行统计学分析。结果共111例患者获得超过2年完整随访。两组患者术前情况未见明显差异（P〉0．05）。术后2年,两组患者的膝关节活动度、膝关节稳定性、Lysholm评分、国际膝关节评分委员会评分及应用KNEELEX3测试膝关节屈曲30°和90°时胫骨端前移的距离未见明显差异（P〉0．05）。B组患者的手术时间、术后并发症的发生情况显著低于于A组（P〈0．05）。结论应用自体胭绳肌腱移植重建前交叉韧带可以达到应用自体骨-髌腱-骨重建的临床疗效,但其髌前疼痛等并发症的发生率却显著低于自体骨-髌腱-骨,故此,从早期疗效来看,应用自体胴绳肌腱重建前交叉韧带比自体骨-髌腱-骨具有更大的优势。     

Arthroscopy-assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring autografts

Isolated ACL reconstructions were performed in 138 patients between 1994 and 1998. Patellar bone-patellar tendon-bone, and hamstring tendon autografts were used in 88 patients, and allografts were used in 50 patients. Eighty-eight knees of 88 patients with autograft reconstructions (17 female, 71 male) were included in this study and evaluation of the patients with allograft reconstruction reported separately. The mean age at the time of the operation was 32 years. All ACL reconstructions were performed arthroscopically. Twenty-seven bone-patellar tendon-bone, and 61 hamstring tendon autografts were used. The mean follow-up was 29 months. In the postoperative course the Lachman test was negative in 62 patients, 1+ in 22 patients, and 2+ in 4 patients. In 17 patients, anterior drawer sign were 1+ in comparison to the contralateral side. Pivot shift test was moderately positive only in 5 cases in the bone-patellar tendon-bone and hamstring tendon autograft groups postoperatively. There were 3 patients with subjective "giving way" symptoms. Second look arthroscopy revealed rupture of the neo-ligament. Arthroscopic washout and debridement were performed, and no revision ligamentoplasties were performed. Two of these patients improved with accelerated proprioceptive physical therapy, and one had to decrease his previous level of activity. There were no cases of arthrofibrosis, infection, or extension lag. Clinical results of patellar bone-tendon-bone and hamstring groups did not show any significant clinical difference. Avoiding the disturbance of the extensor mechanism of the knee is probably the most significant advantage of the hamstring autograft.     

自体与异体骨-髌腱-骨重建前交叉韧带临床疗效的比较

目的 比较自体与异体骨．髌腱-骨（B—PT-B）重建前交叉韧带（ACL）的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2002年2月至2006年1月采用B-PT-B术式重建ACL的患者187例,其中有完整随访资料共142例,其中男性93例,女性49例,年龄15～57岁（平均26岁）。按照异体和自体B—PT-B重建进行分组,其中自体组38例,异体组104例。术后随访时行X线和KT-1000检查,并按照IKDC、Lysholm、Irgang、Larson评分进行疗效评价。并采用分项评分对疼痛、肿胀和膝关节松弛度进行评估。结果142例患者随访时间6—43个月,平均24个月,所有患者随访时移植物位置良好,KT-1000检查双侧膝关节前向松弛度差值〈3mm。异体组：IKDC评分活动水平正常85例（81．7％）,Lysholm评分（82．8±8．5）分,Irgang（79．2±7．3）分,Larson（86．7±3．1）分。自体组：IKDC评分活动水平正常29例（76．3％）,Lysholm评分（84．6±9．5）分,Irgang（79．5±7．6）分,Larson（88．9±6．8）分。以上综合评分无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。分项评分中,疼痛评分：异体组（21．4±3．6）分,自体组（16．3±5．2）分（P=0．012）。肿胀评分：异体组（6．7±3．3）分,自体组（10．0±0．0）分（P=0．011）。关节稳定性评分：异体组（14．7±5．1）分,自体组（16．0±6．8）分（P=0．212）。结论 自体与异体B-PT-B重建ACL术后均可取得良好临床疗效。异体重建的总体临床效果接近自体重建,近期疗效预示其前景良好。     

早期关节镜下同种异体骨-腱-骨重建前后交叉韧带急性损伤

目的探讨同种异体骨-腱-骨（B-PT-B）同时重建膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）、后交叉韧带（PCL）急性损伤的临床疗效。方法在关节镜下早期使用同种异体B-PT-B重建ACL、PCL急性损伤患者22例。结果22例均获随访,时间1618个月。患者屈膝范围从术前7990（85.5±4.5）°提高到术后134140（138±1.5）°,Lysholm膝关节功能评分从术前023（8.6±3.0）分提高到术后8596（92.0±3.6）分（P〈0.01）。未发现感染、移植物断裂、排异反应等。结论早期关节镜下应用同种异体B-PT-B重建ACL、PCL急性损伤,具有手术操作简便、创伤小、免疫排斥反应小、术后并发症少的优点,能最大限度恢复患者膝关节的本体感觉功能及运动功能。     

关节镜下自体髌腱重建前交叉韧带及有关问题的探讨

目的 报告关节镜下自体髌腱中１／３重建前交叉韧带（ＡＣＬ）,并分析影响手术效果的因素。方法 采用关节镜下自体骨－髌腱－骨（Ｂ－ＰＴ－Ｂ）中１／３重建ＡＣＬ。手术１５例,男１０例,女５例,年龄２１～４０岁,平均２６岁,术后随访５－１９个月,平均随访１３个月,术前抽屉试验１５例均阳性,术后２例阳性,轴移试验３例阳性,术后均消失,Ｌａｃｈｍａｎ试验有５例阳性,术后２例弱阳性,膝前疼痛３例,结果 按照日本     

膝关节后内侧结构损伤合并单一交叉韧带断裂的早期治疗

目的 探讨膝关节后内侧结构损伤合并单一交叉韧带断裂进行早期手术的疗效.方法 2002年1月至2005年12月共治疗12例后内侧结构损伤合并单一交叉韧带断裂患者,其中10例合并前交叉韧带(ACL)断裂,2例合并后交叉韧带(PCL)断裂.交叉韧带损伤术前Lysholm评分为50～60分(平均56.7分).关节镜下重建交叉韧带,开放修复后内侧结构.8例采用自体半腱肌、股薄重建ACL(transfix术式),2例采用骨.髌腱.骨重建ACL.2例采用一端带骨块的异体跟腱蓖建PCL.后内侧结构损伤修复:8例采用星状钢板螺钉同定,2例采用GⅡ锚钉固定.1例采用自体半肌腱、股薄肌移植重建,1 例采用端对端缝合.结果 12例中除2例随访4个月后失访外,其余10例患者术后获平均12个月(6～18个月)随访.交叉韧带损伤重建后Lysholm评分为74～94分(平均81.2分).后内侧结构修复后10例膝伸屈范围正常,2例伸直受限5.外翻应力试验于O啦时,9例正常,2例弱阳性(+),1例阳性(++).结论 膝后内侧结构损伤合并单一交叉韧带断裂时,早期重建交叉韧带同时一期修复膝后内侧结构可以较好地恢复膝关节稳定性.     

A METHOD OF PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

The use of the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft has been well established in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The value of this graft in posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction has not been documented. A template was used to identify the origin and insertion of the PCL on standard lateral radiographs of the knee. Those patients who were found at arthroscopy to have an intact articular surface were measured using the template. Thirty-nine patients (40 knees) were included for study, the difference between the PCL and patellar tendon length was expressed as a percentage. The mean was 125% (range 98–165%). To assess the reproducibility of the technique, in 17 patients a repeat radiograph was taken and the two measurements compared. These were found to have a significant correlation (R, coefficient 0.79, P < 0.001). The use of autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft obviates the need for allograft with its incumbent problems. This method of measurement indicates that the patellar tendon graft would be long enough to be suitable for PCL reconstruction in the majority of cases.     

Biomechanical comparisons of anterior cruciate ligament: reconstruction procedures with flexor tendon graft

An experimental study was conducted to compare the biomechanical characteristics of six currently available anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures with flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Forty porcine knees were divided into eight groups, of 5 knees each. In groups A, B, C, and D, the flexor tendon graft was fixed with sutures and an Endobutton, with 20-mm-wide polyester tapes and staples, with 10-mm-wide polyester tapes and an Endobutton, and with bone plugs and interference screws, respectively. In group E, the graft was fixed using a combined procedure of those in groups B and D. In group F, the graft was directly fixed with interference screws. In groups G and H, the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was fixed with interference screws, and sutures, respectively. Each femur-graft-tibia complex specimen was tested with a tensile tester by anteriorly translating the tibia until failure. This study demonstrated that the biomechanical properties of the femur-graft-tibia complex reconstructed with the flexor tendon graft were significantly affected by synthetic fixation devices. Regarding the average maximal load of the groups with the flexor tendon graft, group B had the highest (893 N) and group C had the second highest (770 N). Groups E and A were in the third rank. Group F had the second lowest (312 N), and Group D had the lowest (230 N). The maximal load of group B was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than that of group G (656 N) with the bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts. As to clinical relevance, this study indicated that the flexor tendon graft can be an alternative substitute for the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft for ACL reconstruction, if we understand the biomechanical characteristics of each reconstruction procedure. Received: January 21, 2000 / Accepted: June 8, 2000     

Patellar tendon versus quadrupled bone-semitendinosus anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective clinical investigation in athletes

Purpose:Patellar tendon and hamstrings are both used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and comparisons have been reported with different results. The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the results of ACL reconstruction in athletes with 2 different graft types, both using bone-to-bone healing: bone-patellar tendon-bone graft and a quadrupled bone-semitendinosus graft.Type of Study:Outcomes study.Methods:From 1994 to 1997, 2 groups of 40 athletes who underwent ACL replacement with patellar tendon and quadrupled bone-semitendinosus grafts were prospectively evaluated. Preinjury activity level, age, and gender were comparable in both groups. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon within 5 months from injury and underwent group-specific rehabilitation programs. An independent examiner performed the final evaluations at 36 months. Review included clinical examination, radiographs, computed analysis, isokinetic and functional strength tests, and subjective and objective evaluation with standard knee scores. Additional procedures were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with both parametric and nonparametric tests.Results:Average surgical time was longer with the semitendinosus graft, and postoperative pain was higher in the patellar tendon group. Standard knee evaluation scores and subjective assessment revealed no significant differences. Isokinetic testing of flexion-extension and internal-external rotation showed lower quadriceps strength and a mild deficit of external rotation in the patellar tendon group and slightly lower flexor strength in the semitendinosus group at 12 months. Computerized laxity analysis showed no difference between the 2 groups with 90% of patients having less than 3 mm side-to-side difference, with a gender difference in the semitendinosus group. Kneeling pain was higher in patellar tendon group.Conclusions:The bone-patellar tendon-bone and quadrupled bone-semitendinosus autograft provide excellent grafts for ACL reconstruction. Both techniques are comparable regarding final stability, but in patients with extensor mechanism problems or those who engage in sports with a high incidence of patellar tendonitis, the semitendinosus graft should be considered.