Predicting the Hamstring Tendon Diameter Using Anthropometric Parameters

  Background: Despite the importance of hamstring tendon autograft, one major disadvantage in applying this technique in the surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament is individual variability in the tendon diameter. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to use anthropometric parameters such as gender, height and body mass index to predict ۴-strand (quadruple) hamstring tendons (gracilis and ۲-strand semitendinosus tendons).   Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on all consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between ۲۰۱۳ and ۲۰۱۵. The anthropometric variables (age, gender, height, and body mass index) were recorded. The quadruple hamstring tendon (gracilis and semitendinosus) autografts were measured using sizing cylinders. The relationship between these parameters was statistically determined using the Pearson Spearman test and linear regression test. Results: The mean age of the ۱۷۸ patients eligible for the study was ۲۹.۵۸±۹.۹۳ (۱۱۸ males and ۶۰ females). The mean hamstring tendon diameter was ۷.۸±۰.۷ mm, the mean for males was ۷.۹±۰.۶ and for females ۷.۸۹± mm (P=۰.۰۰۰۱). There were significant correlations between the mean hamstring tendon diameter with BMI (Pearson correlation=۰.۳۷۵, R۲=۰.۳۸۰, and P=۰.۰۰۰۱), height (Pearson correlation=۰.۴۴۱, R۲=۰.۱۲۱, and P=۰.۰۰۰۱), and weight (Pearson correlation=۰.۵۲۸, R۲= -۰.۱۰۴ and P=۰.۰۰۰۱). However,patient’s age and genderwerenot found to be a predictor of the size of the hamstring tendon diameter. Conclusion: Based on findings from this study weight, height, body mass index,and the length of the tendon may be predictors of the hamstring tendon diameter for anterior cruciate ligamentreconstruction. These findings could be used in preoperative planning of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery to estimate the size of the graft and select of the appropriate type of graft.

Keywords:

anterior cruciate ligament , Anthropometric parameters , Body mass index , Hamstring tendon