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Hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: does gracilis tendon harvest matter?

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An Erratum to this article was published on 04 December 2012

Abstract

Purpose

Hamstring tendon grafts are a popular choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Typical morbidity reported after hamstring tendon harvest is muscle weakness in flexion, and whilst still a matter for debate, this morbidity may be greater if the gracilis tendon is harvested in addition to the semitendinosus.

This study sought to comprehensively compare the outcome of ACL reconstructions in which the semitendinosus was harvested alone (ST group) or with the gracilis (ST/G group).

Methods

Twenty patients (ten ST, ten ST/G) were assessed with a variety of measures that included subjective scores, function, strength and tibial rotation as measured by gait analysis during a pivoting task.

Results

Results showed that the graft diameter was significantly larger in the ST group, but there were no other differences between the groups for any other outcome measure.

Conclusion

Harvesting the gracilis in addition to semitendinosus does not appear to affect either the outcome or graft-related morbidity after hamstring ACL reconstruction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden

    Björn Barenius

  2. Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

    Björn Barenius, Webster Kate Webster, Jodie McClelland & Julian Feller

Authors
  1. Björn Barenius
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  2. Webster Kate Webster
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  3. Jodie McClelland
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  4. Julian Feller
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Correspondence to Björn Barenius.

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Barenius, B., Webster, W.K., McClelland, J. et al. Hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: does gracilis tendon harvest matter?. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 207–212 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1672-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1672-9

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