The correlation between anterior‐posterior translation and cross‐sectional area of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions

Abstract

Total anterior-posterior translation is commonly used to assess the integrity of the cruciate ligaments and the success of reconstructive surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine, after surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with a biological graft, if total anterior-posterior translation correlated with graft length, cross-sectional area, or mechanical properties. These factors were investigated by analyzing data from three previous studies. These studies involved replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament in cynomolgus monkeys and goats, with free and vascularized patellar tendon autografts and both patellar tendon and anterior cruciate ligament allografts. Data were available at time periods of 6 and 12 months after surgery. We found statistically significant inverse correlations between the amount of anterior-posterior translation and cross-sectional area of a graft at the time of sacrifice. The Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from -0.966 (p < 0.002) to -0.830 (p < 0.05). We hypothesize that these correlations result from the following mechanism: the increased anterior translation reflects a slack graft; a slack graft is stress shielded by other structures about the knee; the reduced in vivo stresses on the graft modulate cellular metabolism in a way that over time produces a small cross-sectional area.

Hamstring graft size and anthropometry in south Indian population

“…9 The minimum graft thickness recommended is 7 mm. 10,11 Biomechanical studies have established that the load at which failure occurs in a hamstring graft is proportional to its diameter. As per study by A Waly (2002), ACL reconstruction using triple semitendinosus tendon, is a viable technique compared to others and preserving Gracilis tendon, decreases hamstring morbidity.…”

Hamstring Autograft Size Can Be Predicted and Is a Potential Risk Factor for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Failure

“…These data cause concern among surgeons that diminutive grafts may be at risk of failure and require augmentation. 3,4,[15][16][17][18][19] The diameter that exactly defines a diminutive graft has been a matter of debate but has been most commonly cited as 7 mm. 12,19 In addition, the debate has fueled interest in methods to predict hamstring graft diameters preoperatively.…”

Efeito da área de secção do enxerto na cirurgia de reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior - estudo histológico em cães

“…These factors are significant, given that it is well known that the forces applied to the graft during the ligamentization phase play an important role in the final result from remodeling (9,23) . In clinical studies, in which these factors can be better understood and controlled, no functional differences have been found between grafts of different sizes, in humans (2,10,11) .…”