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Effects of additional gracilis tendon harvest on muscle torque, motor coordination, and knee laxity in ACL reconstruction

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate muscle torque, lower extremity coordination, and knee laxity after ACL reconstruction comparing patients operated on with semitendinosus graft (ST) and patients with combined semitendinosus and gracilis (STGR) grafts.

Methods

Forty-six subjects who underwent ST (n = 23) or STGR harvest (n = 23) ACL reconstruction participated in this study. Quadriceps and hamstring torque were recorded using an isokinetic dynamometer. The anterior tibial translation was measured using the Kneelax 3 Arthrometer. The eccentric and concentric motor coordination was tested by multi-joint lower-limb tracking-trajectory test. All measurements were taken 12 months after surgery. Side-to-side differences were determined for all subjects.

Results

Side-to-side differences in extensor peak torque at 180°/s and 60°/s did not differ between semitendinosus (ST) and semitendinosus + gracilis (STGR) groups (n.s.). However, side-to-side differences in flexor peak torque were significantly higher at 60°/s for the STGR group than the ST group (P = 0.002). Side-to-side differences in eccentric and concentric parts of tracking-trajectory test and anterior tibial translation did not differ between the STGR and the ST groups (n.s.).

Conclusion

The outcomes of this study suggested that additional harvest of gracilis did not influence lower extremity motor control, quadriceps muscle torque, and anterior tibial translation; however, it affected knee flexion isokinetic torque negatively at low angular velocity. This finding could be important for functional activity or sports with high demands on hamstring muscle strength. It is recommended that gracilis muscle should be preserved as possible during ACL reconstruction.

Level of evidence

Prospective comparative study, Level II.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank University and State Planning Organization of the Prime Ministry for providing equipment for this study The authors also thank Tracy Spigelman PhD, ATC, for valuable contribution to this study.

Conflict of interest

All authors have no conflicts of interest with respect to the data collected and procedures used within this study.

Ethical statement

The authors confirm this study meets the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and after local ethical approval all subjects provided written informed consent. Ethical approval for the study was received from University and State Planning Organization of the Prime Ministry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, 06100, Ankara, Turkey

    Hayri Baran Yosmaoglu & Gul Baltaci

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Gazi, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Hamza Ozer

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Ahmet Atay

Authors
  1. Hayri Baran Yosmaoglu
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  2. Gul Baltaci
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  3. Hamza Ozer
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  4. Ahmet Atay
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Correspondence to Hayri Baran Yosmaoglu.

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Yosmaoglu, H.B., Baltaci, G., Ozer, H. et al. Effects of additional gracilis tendon harvest on muscle torque, motor coordination, and knee laxity in ACL reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19, 1287–1292 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1412-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1412-5

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