Biomechanical Comparison of Two ACL Reconstruction Methods: Semitendinosus and Gracilis Construct versus Quadrupled Semitendinosus and Tape Construct

摘要

Background: A Quadrupled Semitendinosus (QSt) for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction has a number of potential advantages compared to a doubled Semitendinosus and Gracilis (StG) graft. Preservation of Gracilis may reduce post-operative pain, swelling and later loss of knee flexor strength. In addition, a Quadrupled construct is of greater diameter than the doubled St/G. The main disadvantages of the QSt tape construct is the tibial fixation biomechanics and the shorter length of graft in the tibial tunnel for ingrowth. We investigated the biomechanical properties of using an Endobutton Tape (Smith & Nephew, USA) loop held with an interference screw for tibial fixation of a QSt graft compared to a doubled StG graft held with an interference screw. We hypothesized that the biomechanical performance of QSt and St/G tibial fixation would be similar. Our second hypothesis was that the QSt grafts would be of greater average diameter.