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The effect of length on the structural properties of an Achilles tendon graft as used in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Publication ,  Journal Article
DeFrate, LE; van der Ven, A; Gill, TJ; Li, G
Published in: Am J Sports Med
June 2004

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are varied. No previous studies have investigated the effect of graft length on the structural properties of the graft. HYPOTHESIS: Graft length significantly affects the structural properties of posterior cruciate ligament grafts. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight Achilles tendon grafts were tested under tensile loads up to 400 N at 3 different lengths: long (75 mm), medium (48 mm), and short (34 mm). These 3 lengths represent midtunnel fixation, inlay fixation, and fixation near the ligament insertions. RESULTS: Shortening the graft from both long to medium and from medium to short increased the stiffness by approximately 25%. Long and medium grafts displaced significantly more than medium and short grafts, respectively. CONCLUSION: The effective length of a graft, which is determined by where it is fixed, should be considered an important variable in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

June 2004

Volume

32

Issue

4

Start / End Page

993 / 997

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tensile Strength
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Orthopedics
  • Humans
  • Elasticity
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Achilles Tendon
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
 

Citation

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DeFrate, L. E., van der Ven, A., Gill, T. J., & Li, G. (2004). The effect of length on the structural properties of an Achilles tendon graft as used in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med, 32(4), 993–997. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503261739
DeFrate, Louis E., Alexander van der Ven, Thomas J. Gill, and Guoan Li. “The effect of length on the structural properties of an Achilles tendon graft as used in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Am J Sports Med 32, no. 4 (June 2004): 993–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503261739.
DeFrate, Louis E., et al. “The effect of length on the structural properties of an Achilles tendon graft as used in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Am J Sports Med, vol. 32, no. 4, June 2004, pp. 993–97. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/0363546503261739.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

June 2004

Volume

32

Issue

4

Start / End Page

993 / 997

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tensile Strength
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Orthopedics
  • Humans
  • Elasticity
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Achilles Tendon
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science