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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 32/7/1644    most recent 0363546504263152v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tadokoro, K. Articles by Yoshiya, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tadokoro, K. Articles by Yoshiya, S. Related Collections Reconstruction Knee

Evaluation of Hamstring Strength and Tendon Regrowth After Harvesting for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Kou Tadokoro, MD^*, Nobuzo Matsui, MD^*, Masayoshi Yagi, MD, Ryosuke Kuroda, MD^*, Masahiro Kurosaka, MD^* and Shinichi Yoshiya, MD^*,

From the ^* Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan, and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shin-Suma Hospital, Kobe, Japan

Address correspondence to Shinichi Yoshiya, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.

Background: It is generally thought that tissue regeneration and good functional recovery can be expected after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the hamstring tendons. However, persistent strength deficit in deep knee flexion has also been reported.

Hypothesis: Morphologic regeneration of the harvested hamstring tendon is not necessarily associated with its functional recovery.

Study Design: Retrospective follow-up study.

Method: Twenty-eight patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring graft were evaluated after a minimum period of 2 years. Status of tendon regrowth was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. To specifically analyze the functional deficit after graft harvest, the isometric hamstring strength was examined in a sitting position at 90° of flexion and a prone position at 90° and 110° of flexion. Then, the strength data were correlated with the extent of tendon regeneration.

Results: In 22 of the 28 patients, a regrowth of the semitendinosus tendon was found, whereas regeneration of the gracilis tendon was observed in 13 patients. In the evaluation of hamstring strength, the isometric peak torque was reduced to 86.2%, 54.6%, and 49.1%, respectively, in the aforementioned 3 postures as compared with the contralateral side.

Conclusions: Significant functional deficit of hamstring strength remains regardless of morphologic regeneration.

Key Words: knee • anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) • reconstruction • muscle strength • tendon regeneration

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