Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Beverly Johnson

Keywords

Anterior Cruciate Ligament -- surgery; Tendons -- transplantation

Abstract

Hamstring tendons have gained a great deal of acceptance in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures in the 1990's, but some misconceptions concerning the ability of hamstring grafts to successfully replace ruptured ACLs still exist. More surgeons are using hamstring tendons to reconstruct ACL-deficient knees because their harvest does not disrupt the extensor mechanism of the knee. Enthusiasts of the hamstring graft believe that it promotes quicker return of quadriceps strength and knee range of motion without a prevalence of postoperative pateIIofemoral symptoms.

The purpose of this review is to dispute the concerns that exist concerning the initial tensile strength, graft site morbidity, graft fixation, postoperative rehabilitation, and long-tern results of ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendons. Research is presented to refute these concerns and justify the use of hamstring tendons as autologous ACL substitutes in ACL-deficient knees. Hamstring tendons have shown that they can replace the normal ACL and provide equal or better long-term results when compared to the commonly used bone-patellar tendon-bone graft.

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