A working post with ongoing research on the correlation between height and graft choice.
- Anatomical considerations in hamstring tendon harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2012 Oct-Dec; 2(4): 253–257.
- When using a patellar – bone – tendon – bone graft, the graft diameter can be reproducibly determined by the surgeon. However, when using hamstring tendons the graft diameter is predetermined by the natural diameter of the tendons of each individual and the surgeon has no influence on that. Hence it is possible to obtain a graft of too small diameter, which potentially could be associated with less mechanical resistance.
- QUESTION: Ask Dr. S about patellar graft
- Nevertheless there seems to be a consensus that females tend to have small diameter [hamstring] grafts, which may explain reports of postoperative graft laxity more often seen in females.
- When using a patellar – bone – tendon – bone graft, the graft diameter can be reproducibly determined by the surgeon. However, when using hamstring tendons the graft diameter is predetermined by the natural diameter of the tendons of each individual and the surgeon has no influence on that. Hence it is possible to obtain a graft of too small diameter, which potentially could be associated with less mechanical resistance.
- Evaluating the distance between the femoral tunnel centers in anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a computer simulation. Open Access J Sports Med. 2015; 6: 219–224.
- Even if surgeons are very careful to locate the two femoral bone tunnels anatomically, they sometimes encounter a relatively small footprint area, and thus find it difficult to preserve the stable bony bridge between the two intra-articular apertures.18,19 Based on our results, in cases with relatively short stature (<160 cm for males or 155 cm for females {editor’s note: M, 151cm}), where the ACL footprint size is supposed to be small, femoral tunnel drilling using tibial tunnel-independent techniques, such as the transportal technique or the outside-in technique, might be considered to avoid the overlap of two tunnels and fixation failure.
- QUESTION: Talk to Dr. S about this!
- Even if surgeons are very careful to locate the two femoral bone tunnels anatomically, they sometimes encounter a relatively small footprint area, and thus find it difficult to preserve the stable bony bridge between the two intra-articular apertures.18,19 Based on our results, in cases with relatively short stature (<160 cm for males or 155 cm for females {editor’s note: M, 151cm}), where the ACL footprint size is supposed to be small, femoral tunnel drilling using tibial tunnel-independent techniques, such as the transportal technique or the outside-in technique, might be considered to avoid the overlap of two tunnels and fixation failure.
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